Minnesota opened the 2009 basketball season in the same fashion they started last season. 

The 18th-ranked Gophers overwhelmed an undersized opponent with steals, blocked shots, and balanced scoring on their way to an easy 87-50 victory over Tennessee Tech in the season opener.

The Gophers played pressure defense on its way to garnering 15 steals, 15 blocked shots, and limiting the Golden Eagles to .283 shooting from the floor. Minnesota’s defense also created 28 points off of turnovers and 14 fast break points.