Preview: Rutgers vs. Minnesota in Big Ten Tournament

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The opening round of the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday features a rematch between seed Rutgers and seed Minnesota, with both teams seeking momentum to salvage their seasons.

The Scarlet Knights (13-18) and Golden Gophers (15-16) will tip off at the United Center, three weeks after Minnesota dominated Rutgers 80-61 in Minneapolis on Feb. 21. In that game, Minnesota guard Langston Reynolds was the catalyst, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds and nine assists.

Reynolds remains the focal point for the Gophers. He scored 21 points in a narrow 67-66 win over Northwestern on March 7 and had 21 points and six assists in a victory over UCLA on Feb. 28. Minnesota has been inconsistent, however, following that Rutgers win with a 30-point loss at Indiana.

Rutgers arrives after a 74-62 home win over Penn State on March 8, snapping a two-game skid. Forward Darren Buchanan is a key figure, coming off a 13-rebound performance against the Nittany Lions. Buchanan was held to just two points in 16 minutes in the February loss to Minnesota, making his response a storyline to watch.

The Scarlet Knights have shown resilience on the road recently, with wins at Maryland and Penn State in February, but their tournament hopes likely hinge on containing Reynolds and improving their offensive output after being held to 61 points in the last meeting.

The winner advances to face fifth-seeded Michigan State in the second round on Thursday. For both teams, the tournament represents a final chance to finish a challenging season above .500 and build for the future.