Appeals Court Ruling Blocks Gophers Star Cade Tyson for 2026-27 Season
A federal panel vacated a preliminary injunction that would have allowed the Minnesota guard to play his fifth season, leaving his legal team seeking state court intervention.
By Paul Davidson ·
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled on Friday that Minnesota Gophers guard Cade Tyson cannot play in the 2026-27 college basketball season. The three-judge panel in Denver vacated a preliminary injunction that had previously granted Tyson and other players in the Class of 2022 an additional year of eligibility. The judges determined that the antitrust argument failed to properly define the relative market for player services.
This decision leaves Tyson ineligible despite his enrollment at the University of Minnesota and his participation in team practices. The Gophers began their season this week without their leading scorer from the previous year, when Tyson averaged 19 points per game. His legal team is now evaluating options to restore his status, potentially by filing a new case in state court as early as next week.
The legal battle stems from the NCAA's implementation of a five-for-five eligibility rule, which allows players five years to complete five seasons of competition. The NCAA denied the Class of 2022 inclusion in this new framework. In August, Judge Charlotte Sweeney initially granted a preliminary injunction to allow these players to compete. However, the NCAA secured a stay in late August, rendering the players ineligible until the appeals court issued its final judgment on Friday.
Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle indicated in October that the university and the player are considering multiple legal avenues. He noted on KFXN-FM 100.3 that while Tyson is part of a federal case, he can also become part of a state case. A source on Tyson's legal team confirmed on Friday that the group is evaluating all available options.
Coach Niko Medved has criticized the inconsistent nature of eligibility rulings across the nation. He described the current situation as embarrassing, noting that a team's fate in the NCAA tournament can depend on having a favorable judge. Medved argued that the best decision in a difficult circumstance is to allow these players to compete. The inconsistency is evident in the Big Ten, where several players have gained fifth-year eligibility through different courts.
Tyson's absence impacts the Gophers' immediate schedule. The team plays Cincinnati in a high-major nonconference game on Monday. Cincinnati guard MJ Collins, who is averaging 13.5 points in two games this season, has secured a fifth year of eligibility through a separate court ruling. The Gophers are now playing their early season games without the benefit of that same legal advantage.
The appeals court's judgment follows an October hearing where the panel appeared to favor the NCAA's position. The decision stands as the current federal ruling on this specific class of players, though Tyson's team expects to continue their legal campaign in state jurisdictions.
