Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Wisconsin Badgers Picks and Predictions March 5th 2025

No. 12 Wisconsin Seeks Big Ten, NCAA Tournament Boost Against Rival Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers (22-7, 12-6 Big Ten) head into Wednesday night’s showdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-14, 7-11) with high stakes on the line. Beyond securing another conference win, Wisconsin has its eyes set on improving its Big Ten Tournament seeding and NCAA Tournament positioning as March Madness approaches.

For Minnesota, this border rivalry presents a chance to play spoiler in its final home game of the season and carry momentum into postseason play.

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Wisconsin’s Big Picture: Seeding, Rivalry, and Momentum

Badgers head coach Greg Gard recognizes the magnitude of the game.

“It’s important for multiple reasons—conference tournament seeding, NCAA positioning, and of course, it’s a rivalry game,” Gard said. “We want to be competitive and keep our momentum heading into March.”

Big Ten Tournament Stakes

• A double-bye is still within reach for Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament, which could be crucial for a deep run.
• The Badgers are also aiming for a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, making every win significant.

Recent Form & Key Players

Wisconsin has been one of the most consistent teams in the Big Ten this season, led by an elite scoring duo:

• John Tonje (19.2 PPG, 47.1% FG, 37.6% 3PT) – Wisconsin’s go-to scorer and All-American candidate.
• John Blackwell (15.2 PPG) – A strong secondary scorer.
• Nolan Winter (9.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG) – The team’s top rebounder, adding inside presence.

Minnesota’s Final Home Game: A Spoiler Opportunity

While Wisconsin is focused on seeding and rankings, Minnesota enters this game with a different motivation—playing spoiler.

The Golden Gophers are coming off a 67-65 win at Nebraska, breaking a two-game skid. The victory was fueled by senior guard Brennan Rigsby, who stepped up with a season-high 20 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left.

Head coach Ben Johnson praised Rigsby’s perseverance.

“His minutes have been up and down, but he never changed his approach—no ego, always working. I’m just so proud of him,” Johnson said.

Minnesota’s Key Players

• Dawson Garcia (19.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG) – Minnesota’s offensive leader and top rebounder.
• Lu’Cye Patterson (11.7 PPG) – A reliable scoring option.
• Mike Mitchell Jr. (9.1 PPG) – Adds offensive depth.

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Head-to-Head: What’s Changed Since January?

This is the second meeting between the teams this season. The first matchup on Jan. 10 saw Wisconsin dominate at home, winning 80-59.

Since then, Minnesota has improved, going 7-6 in its last 13 games. Changes in the lineup, including Femi Odukale taking on more point guard duties and Rigsby emerging as a key bench contributor, have added depth.

“Minnesota is much better now than when we first played them,” Gard admitted. “They’ve been competitive, made lineup adjustments, and are playing well.”

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What to Expect: Keys to the Game

For Wisconsin:

✅ Control the pace – The Badgers thrive in structured half-court sets and must dictate tempo.
✅ Perimeter shooting – Tonje and Blackwell need to continue their efficiency from deep.
✅ Defensive pressure – Limiting Garcia’s impact will be a top priority.

For Minnesota:

✅ Fast start – As the underdog, Minnesota needs momentum early to energize the home crowd.
✅ Balanced scoring – The Gophers can’t rely solely on Garcia; Patterson and Rigsby must step up.
✅ Limit turnovers – Wisconsin’s disciplined defense will punish mistakes.

Final Thoughts

This border battle is crucial for Wisconsin’s postseason positioning and an opportunity for Minnesota to make a statement. The Badgers hold the edge on paper, but the Golden Gophers are motivated and improved since their last meeting.

With conference tournament implications, NCAA seeding stakes, and a rivalry backdrop, expect an intense and competitive showdown in Minneapolis.