Williams Arena: Home of the Gophers Basketball Teams

Home of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's and Women's basketball team, Williams Arena is affectionately referred to as "The Barn." Williams Arena is located at 1925 University Avenue Southeast in Minneapolis.

Construction of Williams Arena building began in 1927 and was completed in 1928, when it was dedicated as the University of Minnesota Field House. The building features a barrel-vaulted roof, maximizing the number of seats in the arena. The original building housed basketball and winter football practice facilities.

"The Barn" is ranked in the top five of College Basketball Arenas in the country by Inside Sports writers and it is one of just six 1920's era collegiate basketball arenas still in use. The raised floor, one of only a handful in the country, and the deafening roar of 14,000-plus Williams Arena fans unquestionably has something to do with it. Minnesota basketball fans love Williams Arena!

Trevor Mbakwe Sixth Season of Eligibility

Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe got the sixth season of eligibility he wanted. Mbakwe said he's strongly considering returning, but also continued that he has not ruled out the NBA.

If Mbakwe would return to the Gophers, the U of M would have to find a scholarship for him. Minnesota is at the NCAA maximum of 13 scholarship players.

The deadline for declaring the draft is April 29.

Minnesota faces off against Washington in the NIT semifinals on Tuesday.

Gopher Basketball Regular Season Game

This is it. The final regular season game at Williams Arena. Join me for the Minnesota Golden Gophers v Nebraska Cornhuskers game on March 3 at 11:30am.

Gophers v Cornhuskers

3/3 @ 11:30am

Don't miss this great Gophers game!

Gophers Down Illini

The Gophers men's basketball team made a statement in the final minutes of the Minnesota-Illinois basketball game - they are not the same team that they were in the Big Ten opener. The message was heard loud and clear by Illinois.

The Gophers showed their might by tying the score on a last-second three-point play and finishing off Illinois in overtime to grab their fourth victory in five games. The Gophers won 77-72 at Williams Arena.

Austin Hollins, with the Gophers down by three, drove to the basket, hitting the layup. The big error by Illinois came as Meyers Leonard fouled Hollins, who they hit the free throw to send the game into overtime.

Gophers mascot Goldy Gopher bio

Who is the biggest Minnesota Golden Gophers fan around? Well, the mascot, Goldy, of course! Goldy's official bio on the Gophers Atletic website states he was born too long ago to remember, but history states Goldy officially began in 1940, the gopher was elected to be the official animal in 1857.

Goldy has taken on many different appearances, based on what his fans wanted, either more ferocious or less ferocious as times and opinions change. Goldy the gopher attends more than 500 events and other appearances per year! That's one busy gopher!

It is said that Goldy once beat out a football player in a push-up contest! We have a seriously strong mascot here! Goldy is also very smart, going straight to college, bypassing high school altogether! Goldy gopher plans on attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus until mascotting becomes a legitimate and respected major and field of study. If you ask me, Goldy could teach the classes! Give him his degree already and let Goldy start teaching others how to be the best mascot that you can be!

Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball standings 2011

The Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team's 2011 standings are currently 7 wins and 1 loss, which puts the Gophers in 5th place in the 2011-12 Big Ten Standings, behind Illinonis, Indiana, Ohio State and Northwestern.

Make sure you're cheering on the Maroon and Gold at all Golden Gophers basketball home games!

Williams Arena Gophers basketball first game of 2011-2012 season

Gophers basketball is just around the corner! The first home game for the Gophers at the Barn is Tuesday November 1, 2011 versus Bemidji. Tip off is at 7:00pm.

Don't tell me you're without Gophers basketball tickets for the home opener!? Gasp! You better march right over to www.GopherBasketballTickets.com and order your Gophers tickets now! With the NBA being locked out until at least the middle of November, it's the perfect time to check out a Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball game! College basketball is actually way more exciting to me, anyway! It's still about the game and the skill at the college level!

Let's go Gophers!