What does the double-bye mean for Minnesota?
It means they skip the first two rounds of the Big Ten Tournament and advance directly to the quarterfinals.
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ARTICLE DETAIL
No. 22 Minnesota Women Beat Illinois, Clinch Big Ten Tournament Double-Bye | Phoenix Suns Rookies Making an Impact in 2026 | Brandon Miller's Impressive Performance | Collin Sexton Injury Update: Bulls Guard Exits Game Early | NBA Roundup: Westbrook Confronts Media, Tatum's Emotional Return, Wembanyama's Statement Win | De'Aaron Fox Just Misses Double-Double Against Clippers | San Francisco Dons vs. Oregon State Beavers: WCC Tournament Preview | Fairfield vs. Siena: MAAC Tournament Preview | Texas Longhorns Win First SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Title | No. 22 Minnesota Women Beat Illinois, Clinch Big Ten Tournament Double-Bye | Phoenix Suns Rookies Making an Impact in 2026 | Brandon Miller's Impressive Performance | Collin Sexton Injury Update: Bulls Guard Exits Game Early | NBA Roundup: Westbrook Confronts Media, Tatum's Emotional Return, Wembanyama's Statement Win | De'Aaron Fox Just Misses Double-Double Against Clippers | San Francisco Dons vs. Oregon State Beavers: WCC Tournament Preview | Fairfield vs. Siena: MAAC Tournament Preview | Texas Longhorns Win First SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Title
Basketball / Womens Basketball
No. 22 Minnesota Women Beat Illinois, Clinch Big Ten Tournament Double-Bye
The No. 22 Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 78-73 on Sunday, March 1, 2026, securing the No. 4 seed and a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament. The game, played in Champaign, Illinois, saw Minnesota tie a progr...
Key Insights
- Sophie Hart led Minnesota with 17 points, while Amaya Battle added 16, 10 of which came in the second half.
- Minnesota's victory clinched the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, earning them a double-bye.
- The Gophers tied their single-season record for conference wins, matching the achievements of the 1982-83 and 1984-85 seasons.
- Berry Wallace led Illinois with 15 points, while Maddie Webber and Aaliyah Guyton each contributed 14 points.
In-Depth Analysis
### Game Summary No. 22 Minnesota (22-7, 13-5 Big Ten) secured a 78-73 victory over Illinois (19-10, 9-9) in a closely contested match. The win gives Minnesota the No. 4 seed and a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
### Key Plays The game saw a tense finish, with Berry Wallace hitting a 3-pointer and Cearah Parchment scoring to tie the game at 70-all with just over a minute remaining. However, Minnesota sealed the win with free throws from Grace Grocholski, Mara Braun, and Tori McKinney.
### Individual Performances - **Minnesota:** Sophie Hart (17 points), Amaya Battle (16 points), Mara Braun (11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), Finau Tonga (11 points), Tori McKinney (10 points). - **Illinois:** Berry Wallace (15 points), Maddie Webber (14 points), Aaliyah Guyton (14 points), Cearah Parchment (13 points), Destiny Jackson (13 points).
### Historical Context This victory marks a significant achievement for Minnesota, tying their program's single-season record for conference wins. The team looks to carry this momentum into the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois, despite the loss, concludes the regular season with a 19-10 record.
### Conference Standings The win solidified Minnesota's position in the Big Ten standings, ensuring a favorable seed in the upcoming tournament. Illinois will need to regroup as they head into the first round of the tournament.
FAQ
Who were the top performers for Illinois?
Berry Wallace led with 15 points, followed by Maddie Webber and Aaliyah Guyton with 14 each.
Takeaways
- Minnesota secured a No. 4 seed and double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
- Sophie Hart and Amaya Battle led Minnesota's scoring.
- Illinois' Berry Wallace scored a team-high 15 points.
- The game was the regular-season finale for both teams.
Discussion
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Sources
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