Minnesota Gophers Defeat Maryland Terrapins in Big Ten Matchup

Gophers look to build momentum after upsetting No. 10 Michigan State earlier this week

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Minnesota Golden Gophers took on the Maryland Terrapins in a Big Ten basketball matchup on Sunday afternoon. The Gophers, coming off an upset victory over No. 10 Michigan State earlier this week, looked to continue their strong play and pick up another conference win against the struggling Terrapins.

Why it matters

This game was an important conference matchup for both teams, as the Gophers aim to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season, while the Terrapins are looking to turn their season around after a disappointing start in Big Ten play.

The details

The Gophers were led by a strong offensive performance, defeating the Terrapins by a final score of 77-70. Minnesota was able to pull away in the second half after a close first half, using a balanced scoring attack to secure the victory.

  • The game took place on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. CT.
  • Minnesota defeated Michigan State earlier this week on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Minnesota Golden Gophers

The University of Minnesota's Division I men's basketball team, competing in the Big Ten Conference.

Maryland Terrapins

The University of Maryland's Division I men's basketball team, also competing in the Big Ten Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was an important game for us to try and build some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. I'm proud of the way our guys came out and competed today against a tough Maryland team.”

— Ben Johnson, Head Coach, Minnesota Golden Gophers (Gophers Nation)

What’s next

The Gophers will look to carry this momentum into their next Big Ten matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers on February 15th.

The takeaway

This victory for the Minnesota Gophers showcases their ability to bounce back from a tough stretch and defeat a conference opponent, demonstrating their potential to make a late-season push in the Big Ten standings.