LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team is off to its best start in program history, and will face its first true road test of the season Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse against the University of Kansas. The Gophers (4-0) are seeking to continue their winning streak against a Jayhawk team (4-0) coming off a strong 2023-24 campaign.
Minnesota’s strong start is fueled by balanced scoring and efficient playmaking. In their last four games, the Gophers have shot 40% or better from the field while together holding opponents under 40%. The team currently ranks second in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio and eighth nationally with 24.5 assists per game, finishing third in the country in fewest turnovers at 8 per game. Minnesota received 24 votes in the most recent AP Poll released Monday.
Individually, graduate student Sophie Hart has doubled her scoring average from last season, now averaging 13.8 points per game compared to 7.25 points through the first four games last year. Sophomore Tori McKinney leads the team with 11 steals (2.7 per game) and has also doubled her scoring output, totaling 52 points so far this season after recording 23 through the first four games as a freshman. Against Highlander, Amaya Battle became the fifth Gopher in program history to reach 1,000 points and 500 assists, joining Rachel Banham (3,093 points, 522 assists), Lindsay Whalen (2,285 points, 578 assists), Kenisha Bell (1,754 points, 511 assists) and Debbie Hunter (1,363 points, 633 assists).
The series history favors Kansas, 14-4 with the Gophers holding a 4-4 record at Williams Arena.Minnesota’s last victory against the Jayhawks came on Nov. 20, 2013, a 70-59 win at home. The Gophers are 31-42 against Big 12 Conference opponents overall.
Kansas is led by 11th-year head coach Brandon Schneider, who has guided the Jayhawks to a winning record in five of the last six seasons, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2024, and the 2023 WNIT championship. Junior guard S’Mya Nichols was a unanimous preseason All-Big 12 selection, and the Jayhawks were picked to finish sixth in the conference. Kansas has secured wins against Kansas City, Northwestern State, Lamar, and Missouri. In their recent 82-77 victory over Missouri, Nichols and Elle Evans each scored 20 points, while Jailya Davis and Regan Williams added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
