Gophers men’s basketball defeats North Dakota in season opener

The Minnesota men’s basketball team opened its 132nd season with an 85-50 victory over North Dakota, extending its historical dominance in the series. Minnesota improved to 21-2 all-time against the Fighting Hawks, with their last loss against North Dakota coming in 1928. The victory gives Minnesota a 1-0 to start under second-year head coach Niko Medved. The team looks to build on Medved’s debut season, in which the Gophers finished with a 15-18 record. Minnesota controlled both ends of the floor in the first half, taking a 41-25 lead over North Dakota into the break. The Gophers continued their offensive momentum in the second half, going on a 16-2 run in the first five minutes of play and carrying that energy the rest of the game.  Gophers forward Bobby Durkin (3) shoots a three pointer in the first half of a NCAA Division 1 mens basketball game between the the University of Minnesota and the University of North Dakota, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 at The Barn by Blue Cross Blue Shield of M