Rutgers Vs Minnesota: Scarlet Knights Seek Third Straight Win in Minneapolis

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 21, 2026 12:51 PM ET

rutgers vs minnesota sends the Scarlet Knights to Williams Arena in Minneapolis with Rutgers looking to stretch a two-game winning streak and Minnesota coping with a season-long injury list; tip-off is set for 12 pm EST at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

Rutgers Vs Minnesota

Rutgers heads into the matchup having won its last two games, while Minnesota has been uneven after a 3-1 start in Big Ten play that included wins over No. 19 Iowa and No. 22 Indiana. The Gophers have gone 2-9 in their last 11 games, and guard Cade Tyson leads Minnesota with 19. 2 points per game. Forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson averages 13. 4 points and 6. 8 rebounds per game but missed the last game with a foot injury; guard Isaac Asuma is Minnesota's secondary scoring option at 10. 9 points per game, and Tyson leads the team in rebounding at 5. 5 per game.

Gophers hampered by injuries, long trip home

Minnesota played and won its last game on the road despite having six players out against Oregon, a factor that has contributed to its inconsistent stretch. The Gophers are returning from a two-game west coast road trip that concluded on Tuesday, and their season averages read 70. 6 points, 32. 6 rebounds and 17. 3 assists per game while shooting 45. 2 percent from the field, 69. 3 percent from the line and 33. 3 percent from three. By comparison, Rutgers averages 70. 6 points, 34. 2 rebounds and 11. 3 assists per game while shooting 41. 6 percent from the field, 73. 3 percent from the line and 32 percent from three, a statistical parity that leaves the matchup tight on paper.

Tip-off, broadcast and what to watch

The game will tip off at 12 pm EST inside Williams Arena in Minneapolis and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. Minnesota currently sits at 5-10 in Big Ten play and Rutgers at 4-11, and 's matchup predictor gives the Gophers an 80. 8 percent chance to win. For Rutgers to challenge that projection, the Knights will need to replicate the defensive aggressiveness and energy they showed in their win over Penn State; that defensive approach was highlighted as a decisive factor in Rutgers' recent results.

Next on the schedule is the tip-off at 12 pm EST at Williams Arena, where availability for Minnesota — notably the status of Jaylen Crocker-Johnson after his foot injury and any reinforcements from IR — will be confirmed before the game.