Gopher Week in Photos: Gopher basketball continues hot play into conference season

Dec 22, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA;Lafayette Leopards guard Tony Johnson (3) gets his shot blocked by Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe (32) and Rodney Williams (33) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Rodney Williams and the No. 11 Gophers finished their non-conference schedule strong, defeating Lafayette 75-50 and bringing a 12-1 record and eight game winning streak to a match up with Michigan State on New Year’s Eve to open Big Ten season.

Oct 27, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Troy Stoudermire (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers defeated the Boilermakers 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The 6-6 Gopher football team has already landed in Houston, awaiting their match up on Friday against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The game will be a rematch of the 2006 Insight Bowl in which the Red Raiders came back 38-7 to defeat the Gophers in double-overtime.

February 23, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Amber Stokes (3) tries to maintain possession under pressure from Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Rachel Banham (1) and guard/forward Kionna Kellogg (5) at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Rachel Banham and the Gopher Women defeated Northern Iowa on Friday, 86-43, to extend their record to 10-3 on the year. Banham scored 26 points and added five rebounds, four steals and four assists.