The Minnesota Golden Gophers, with a record of 11-13 and a NET ranking of 83, are facing an uphill battle in their pursuit of an NCAA Tournament berth, having gone 2-7 against Quad 1 opponents and 2-4 against Quad 2 foes. Meanwhile, the Washington Huskies, boasting a 12-12 record and a NET ranking of 52, are on the bubble and need to capitalize on their home-court advantage to strengthen their tournament resume. With Washington holding a 4-9 conference record, similar to Minnesota's 4-9 mark, this matchup could have real consequences for both teams' postseason aspirations, particularly considering Washington's 1-9 Quad 1 record.
Washington Huskies' Home-Court Advantage Yields 8.5-Point Average Margin
The game is scheduled for February 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET, and will take place at the Alaska Airlines Arena, with the broadcast available on the Pac-12 Network.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have had a tumultuous season, with a 11-13 overall record and a 4-9 mark in conference play. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of 1-2 in their last three games, including a 75-65 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Golden Gophers have struggled against top-tier opponents, with a 2-7 record against Quad 1 teams and a 2-4 record against Quad 2 teams. However, they have excelled against lower-level competition, boasting a 7-1 record against Quad 4 teams. With a NET ranking of 83, Minnesota needs to secure quality wins to improve their tournament chances.
Key Matchups
The Washington Huskies, with a 12-12 record and a NET ranking of 52, are teetering on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble. Their conference record of 4-9 is a concern, but they have shown resilience in their recent games, going 1-2 in their last three outings, including a 70-65 win over the California Golden Bears. The Huskies have a Quad 1 record of 1-9, which is a significant drawback, but their 4-3 mark against Quad 2 teams offers a glimmer of hope. With a strong home-court advantage, Washington want to exploit Minnesota's vulnerabilities and secure a much-needed win to bolster their tournament resume.
The Washington Huskies and Minnesota Golden Gophers have distinct styles, with Washington averaging 74.5 points per game and Minnesota scoring 71.2 points per contest. The Huskies have a significant edge in terms of pace, with an average possession length of 16.2 seconds, compared to Minnesota's 18.5 seconds. Additionally, Washington's defense has been stellar, allowing just 42.1% shooting from the field, while Minnesota has struggled to contain opponents, yielding 45.6% shooting. The CHD Scout prediction favors Washington by 6.9 points, with a 72.4% win probability, indicating that the Huskies' home-court advantage and defensive prowess may be too much for the Golden Gophers to overcome.
CHD Scout Prediction
Minnesota
70
Washington
76
For the Washington Huskies, players like Cole Bajema, who is averaging 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and Keion Brooks, who is scoring 14.5 points and grabbing 6.2 rebounds per contest, matters in determining the outcome. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Golden Gophers will rely on the likes of Dawson Garcia, who is averaging 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and Jamison Battle, who is scoring 12.8 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds per contest. With no significant player momentum data available, both teams must rely on their overall team cohesion and strategy to secure a win.
Tournament Stakes
The CHD Scout prediction favors the Washington Huskies by 6.9 points, with a 72.4% win probability. This prediction is based on the teams' overall performance, including their NET rankings, quad records, and recent form. The Huskies' strong home-court advantage and defensive capabilities are expected to give them an edge over the Golden Gophers, who have struggled against top-tier opponents.
This matchup has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. A win for the Washington Huskies would improve their Quad 1 record to 2-9 and strengthen their NET ranking, potentially moving them closer to a tournament berth. On the other hand, a loss would dealt a significant blow to their postseason aspirations. For the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a win would be a much-needed quality victory, improving their Quad 1 record to 3-7 and bolstering their tournament chances. However, a loss would further diminish their already slim hopes of securing an NCAA Tournament bid.