​The University of Cincinnati officially announced a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in men’s basketball on Wednesday, July 15. The Enquirer confirmed the news last week on July 10 that the series would take place this season and next.The Bearcats will take on the Golden Gophers in Fifth Third Arena this season, with the return trip to Minneapolis in 2027-28.Head coach Jerrod Calhoun and the Cincinnati Bearcats gather in the film room for a session.Cincinnati’s full non-conference schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt will be the 10th meeting between the Bearcats, now of the Big 12 and Minnesota of the Big Ten with UC holding a 7-2 advantage.Minnesota won the first two matchups in 1983 and 1984. Since the christening of the Shoemaker Center (now Fifth Third Arena) Nov. 25, 1989, the Bearcats have won the rest.Famously, UC knocked off No. 20 Minnesota on a last-second 3-pointer by Steve Sanders, who doubled up as a football player for the Bearcats, in the inaugural game in the Shoemaker Center and head coach Bob Huggins’ first game as UC coach.As Sanders recently recalled to The Enquirer, the play wasn’t meant for him.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”We were just trying to throw the ball to the front of the rim,” Sanders said. “The last thing he (Coach Huggins) said was, ‘Steve, you have to be ready. If he can’t throw it inside, he’s going to throw it to you.'”NOVEMBER 26, 1989: UC coach Bob Huggins displayed his fiery demeanor in his debut.Two of the UC victories against Minnesota have come in overtime, both on the road. In 1994, UC won 91-88 and in 1998, the Bearcats held on 62-61 in OT. They last played in the NIT during Andy Kennedy’s interim year as coach, winning 76-62. Eric Hicks had 23 points and 11 rebounds and blocked four shots to break Kenyon Martin’s single-season blocked shot record.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bearcats continue practicing for their upcoming international exhibitions in the Bahamas in August.This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats announce home-and-home basketball series with Minnesota