Recapping the first seven games in this eight-game stretch for the Gophers vs. ranked Big Ten opponents. (Rankings are at the time of the game was played.)
Dec. 15: @No. 13 Illinois 92, Gophers 65
Illini 7-footer Kofi Cockburn ruled the paint with 33 points and 13 rebounds in the Big Ten opener in Champaign.
Dec. 25: @Gophers 102, No. 4 Iowa 95 OT
The Gophers' 17 three-pointers included Marcus Carr's tying shot to end regulation and Brandon Johnson going 8-for-9, including 4-for-4 in OT.
Dec. 28: @No. 21 Gophers 81, No. 17 MICH. St. 56
The Gophers beat the Spartans at their own game, outrebounding them 52-26 with 40 points in the paint.
Dec. 31: @No. 6 Wisconsin 71, No. 21 Gophers 59
A three-game winning streak came to an end after Carr was held to a season-low 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting.
Jan. 3: No. 21 Gophers 77, No. 25 Ohio State 60
Gophers center Liam Robbins was a force in the middle, with 27 points, 14 rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists.
Jan. 6: @No. 10 Michigan 82, No. 16 Gophers 57
The Gophers trailed by as many as 37 points and couldn't defend 7-1 freshman Hunter Dickinson, who had 28 points.
Jan. 10: @No. 5 Iowa 86, No. 16 Gophers 71
Luka Garza, the nation's leading scorer, scored 33 points for the Hawkeyes, who avenged an earlier loss.
Ernst wins Drive On Championship for 3rd LPGA Tour title
