The Gophers women’s basketball team’s eighth consecutive victory proved enough to get it into the national rankings for the first time this season.
The Gophers (20-6, 11-4 Big Ten) were No. 23 in the Associated Press’ latest poll, which was released Monday, Feb. 16. It’s further recognition for a team that has won 20 games for the third time in coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s three seasons and appears to be barreling toward the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2018.
The Gophers pulled away for an 83-60 victory over Wisconsin on Sunday, Feb. 15, in Madison, Wis. It was Minnesota’s eighth win in a row.
The Gophers are No. 9 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, which are used by the selection committee. The only Big Ten teams higher are No. 2 UCLA and No. 6 Michigan.
The Gophers’ current winning streak includes a victory at Iowa, which was ranked No. 10 in the AP poll at the time, for their first win over a top-10 team since 2018.
The team will have to fight to keep its ranking. The Gophers host No. 10 Ohio State on Wednesday night, Feb. 18, at Williams Arena, and host No. 18 Michigan State on Sunday evening to close out their home schedule. The Gophers close the regular season at Illinois on March 1.
