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NDSU has booked the Gophers. Home opener this year for U of M.
FARGO (AP) -- North Dakota State's men's basketball team has a date at Minnesota next fall.
The Bison men's basketball program has scheduled two games with the University of Minnesota over the next three seasons.
NDSU will play the Gophers at Williams Arena Nov. 18, then take a year off before returning for another matchup in 2007. Both games will serve as home openers for Minnesota and season openers for the Bison.
"It's a great way to tip off your season. If people in this area aren't pulling for NDSU, often times they are pulling for the University of Minnesota," Bison coach Tim Miles said. "I can't think of a better way to start our season than to play the Gophers."
NDSU will receive a $35,000 guarantee for each game. Next season's game against Minnesota strengthens an already beefy schedule for the Bison, who are entering their second season of NCAA Division I competition. NDSU will play at Wisconsin, Kansas State and Colorado State. Eastern Michigan, Manhattan, Denver and Missouri-Kansas City will visit Fargo. Miles also is working on a game with Maine.
"I'm very pleased with our schedule. It will be a great challenge," Miles said. "Our home games will be a lot of fun for our fans to watch.
"It's a big upgrade from where we've been. We're biting off a whole bunch."
The Bison will likely play four small-college teams to balance the difficulty of schedule, Miles said.
With about 10,000 alumni in the Twin Cities, NDSU should be a good draw for a nonconference game at Williams Arena, Miles said. Also, the Bison could have as many as eight Minnesotans on their roster when the season begins.
The Bison and Gophers have met 22 times previously, with 19 Minnesota victories, but not since 1986. That game was won 70-53 by the Gophers.
FARGO (AP) -- North Dakota State's men's basketball team has a date at Minnesota next fall.
The Bison men's basketball program has scheduled two games with the University of Minnesota over the next three seasons.
NDSU will play the Gophers at Williams Arena Nov. 18, then take a year off before returning for another matchup in 2007. Both games will serve as home openers for Minnesota and season openers for the Bison.
"It's a great way to tip off your season. If people in this area aren't pulling for NDSU, often times they are pulling for the University of Minnesota," Bison coach Tim Miles said. "I can't think of a better way to start our season than to play the Gophers."
NDSU will receive a $35,000 guarantee for each game. Next season's game against Minnesota strengthens an already beefy schedule for the Bison, who are entering their second season of NCAA Division I competition. NDSU will play at Wisconsin, Kansas State and Colorado State. Eastern Michigan, Manhattan, Denver and Missouri-Kansas City will visit Fargo. Miles also is working on a game with Maine.
"I'm very pleased with our schedule. It will be a great challenge," Miles said. "Our home games will be a lot of fun for our fans to watch.
"It's a big upgrade from where we've been. We're biting off a whole bunch."
The Bison will likely play four small-college teams to balance the difficulty of schedule, Miles said.
With about 10,000 alumni in the Twin Cities, NDSU should be a good draw for a nonconference game at Williams Arena, Miles said. Also, the Bison could have as many as eight Minnesotans on their roster when the season begins.
The Bison and Gophers have met 22 times previously, with 19 Minnesota victories, but not since 1986. That game was won 70-53 by the Gophers.