MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota women’s basketball team is headed to the Big Ten tournament.

The Gophers have the eighth seed after going 6-10 in conference play this season. They’ll face Wisconsin in the first round on Thursday evening in Indianapolis, with the winner advancing to play Penn State. Minnesota has a rough 5-17 record in Big Ten tournament since it began in 1995.

Wisconsin won the only game between the rivals during the regular season this year, 78-72 at Williams Arena.

But the week already brought good news for the Gophers. Point guard Rachel Banham was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year. Janel McCarville is the only other Gophers player to get the award.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)