The Minnesota Gophers’ 2025-26 basketball season officially ended Wednesday with a 67-48 loss to Baylor at the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Gophers concluded the season with an overall record of 15-18.

Season Finale and Key Takeaways

Despite exceeding expectations throughout the year, Minnesota appeared challenged by a limited six-man rotation against Baylor. This marked a quick exit – one-and-done – for the Gophers at the College Basketball Crown.

Tyson's Historic Season

Tyson finished the season with 628 total points, the third-highest single-season total in Gophers program history, trailing only Mychal Thompson and Khris Humphries. His 19 points against Baylor contributed to this impressive achievement. Despite the challenges of navigating the transfer portal, Tyson’s 2025-26 season is considered one of the best in program history.

Baylor's Athletic Advantage

Baylor, known for its athleticism with stars Cameron Carr and Tounde Yessoufou, demonstrated a clear physical advantage over the Gophers. The difference in speed, strength, and overall athleticism was evident from the start of the game.

Need for Size in the Frontcourt

Minnesota struggled with size in the frontcourt against Baylor’s 6-foot-9 Cade Powell. Despite a weight difference of only four pounds on team lists, Powell appeared significantly larger and stronger than Minnesota’s lone frontcourt player, highlighting the need for added size through the transfer portal.

Medved's Neutral Site Record

Head coach Medved will begin his Gophers tenure with a 0-5 record in neutral site games. Previous losses included games against San Francisco, Stanford, and Santa Clara. The team’s performance in conference and NCAA tournaments, typically held at neutral sites, will be a key area for improvement in the 2026-27 season.

Defensive Adjustments

Despite being without injured players, Minnesota’s coaching staff implemented a new defensive strategy against Baylor, utilizing a full-court zone. While the tactic didn’t significantly impact the outcome, it demonstrated a willingness to experiment and adapt.

This article was written by Tony Liebert, a sports journalist specializing in coverage of Minnesota teams.