92 years in the making: Minnesota versus St. Thomas men’s basketball

Gopher guard Nolan Groves (10) celebrates in a stout home win over St. Thomas on Nov. 6, 2026. The Gophers faced the Tommies in the first matchup between the two teams in almost a century. Image by Nate Unger 92 years in the making: Minnesota versus St. Thomas men’s basketball Prior to Friday’s win, the last time the two Twin Cities schools faced off in men’s basketball was in another Gopher win in 1934. by Nate Unger Published November 12, 2026 Categories: Marquee Other Sports Top Story Following Friday night’s home matchup at The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas men’s basketball teams have faced each other seven times, but the last time was on Dec. 11, 1934. With a 76- 62 win on Friday, Minnesota has improved its record to 7-1. Despite the long wait, Minnesota and St. Thomas often meet in other sports, including in a volleyball matchup earlier this season. When this happens, it is common to see droves of St. Thomas fans in the stands, taking advantage of the short commute. Gopher forward Carter Bjerke called the meeting of the two Twin Cities Division I schools a monumental moment for the state. “I was excited to play them,” Bjerke said.  “I feel like it’s been talked about for so long now since it became a Division I program.” Gophers junior guard Isaac Asuma was eager to play the Tommies. Regarding the many fans of the opposing team, Asuma said the cheers against the Gophers prepared him and the team well for the upcoming game on the road at the University of Cincinnati, where they went on to win 63-61. The coaches of both teams hold deep ties to the state and their respective teams, allowing for some added perspective and reverence ahead of the matchup. Originally from Minneapolis, Gopher head coach Niko Medved held a role with Minnesota as an assistant coach during the team’s 2006-07 season before returning to lead the team’s coaching staff last year. St. Thomas head coach Johnny Tauer played for the Tommies, supporting the team during their 1994 NCAA DIII Final Four run, and has held a coaching role with the team since 2000. Both went to local high schools just miles from their college alma mater. Reflecting on his journey and relationship with Tauer, Medved bet Tauer never dreamed of this matchup 10 years ago. “Myself too, I never dreamed I’d be sitting here,” Medved said. Gallery 2 Photos Image by Nate Unger Head coach Niko Medved celebrated Friday's home win and reminisced on his Minnesota origins. Both coaches grew up in the Minnesota basketball scene and view the matchup as a testament to St. Thomas's growth as a program. When asked after the game if he ever thought he would coach against the Gophers, Tauer praised St. Thomas President Rob Vischer and athletic director Phil Esten. Only a few years after the school’s historic NCAA DIII to DI transition, St. Thomas completed the brand-new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in 2025. Tauer said there have been some pinch-me moments, but emphasized that it is foreshadowing what is to come. Tauer saw many influential teammates and friends from his early basketball days. “I looked up tonight, and you saw all these guys that were on our first team that first year, and alone from the 70s and 80s and 90s. I have a bunch of my teammates in town,” Tauer said. Both coaches cited scheduling difficulties as the reason that these matchups do not take place very often. Medved lamented the NCAA’s scheduling system. He understood the intricacies and difficulties that the NCAA faces in scheduling games, though. “I don’t think a lot of it is good for the fans, to be honest. The system they’ve created.
Like we play all these neutral games all over the country,” Medved said. Both coaches also looked at the game as a stepping stone for improved basketball attendance and support in the state. “I remember when I was in college, there was a day where we could be playing some school you’d never heard of, and there was going to be 14,000 people here,” Medved said. “You know, I still dream of that day.” Tauer said it can be difficult to get people out to games in a digital era, but that did not cap his excitement for the Tommies’ home opener against the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. “All those people who are there at night in purple,
I hope they come out again Sunday afternoon because these guys, they play basketball the right way,” Tauer said. View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment Tags: Gophers men's basketball More to Discover More in Marquee Redveil, GR3G and Miloe perform multi-genre sets at Coffman Union Week 11: Gophers look to get back in the win column against Penn State Voters memorialize Good and Pretti with ‘I Voted’ stickers Bobby Durkin’s buzzer-beater downs Cincinnati Bearcats 63-61 Video: How three students interact with art outside the classroom The covert politics of climate change More in Other Jaylen Crocker-Johnson earns spot on Karl Malone Award watch list Gophers men's basketball defeats North Dakota in season opener Gophers women’s basketball beats Harvard in season opener Gophers men’s and women’s basketball host opening-night doubleheader Cade Tyson sidelined while awaiting eligibility ruling Gophers women’s golf looks to finish fall season on a high note More in Sports No. 18 Gophers men's hockey ties, then falls to No. 1 Wisconsin No. 8 UCLA offense overwhelms the Gophers in 34-20 loss Week 10: Gophers football hopes to upset undefeated No. 8 UCLA No. 18 Gophers men's hockey hosts border rival No. 1 Wisconsin No. 2 Gophers sweep Duluth on the road No. 18 Gophers men’s hockey earns overtime win after tie against Penn State