University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Basketball Opens Season Against North Dakota State
11/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game No. 1
MINNESOTA (0-0)
vs.
North Dakota State (1-0)
NOVEMBER 13, 2006 • 7 p.m.
WILLIAMS ARENA • Minneapolis, Minn.
Television: FSN North - Dick Bremer, PBP; Jim Dutcher, analyst.
RADIO: Gopher Radio Network - Mike Grimm, PBP; Kevin Lynch, analyst
STORYLINES
• This is the second consecutive year Minnesota has opened against North Dakota State. The Gophers defeated the Bison 70-57 last season on November 18.
• According to the Minnesota media guide, Minnesota leads all-time series 20-2 with the first meeting in 1901.
• In 1936, NDSU captured their only win on the floor in the series, a 33-29 win , in Minneapolis. NDSU’s other win in the series was a forfeit. The Gophers won the 1976-77 season opener 101-68, but later was forced to forfeit all games in the 1976-77 season.
• Minnesota is 89-23 in regular season opener (including vacated games).
• The Gophers are 7-0 in lid-lifters under Dan Monson.
• The Gophers are 57-7 in home non-conference games under Monson and 68-24 in non-conference play under Monson including the postseason.
MATCHUP
Minnesota opens its season for the second consecutive year against North Dakota State. Seven Golden Gophers make their regular season debut in Maroon and Gold against the Bison. NDSU was 16-12 last season and have all five starters returning. The Bison opened its season on the road at Idaho on Friday with a 91-76 win over the Vandals.
SCOUTING the Bison
North Dakota State is in its third season of being a Division I Independent. NDSU has accepted an invitation to the Mid-Continent Conference starting in the 2007-08 season. Last season, the Bison reached new heights in its basketball program by defeating Wisconsin, 62-55, in Madison. The Bison return their top five scorers from last season including sophomore guard Ben Woodside from Albert Lea, Minn. Woodside averaged 17.5 points and 5.1 assists per game. Senior Andre Smith is the Bison threat in the paint returning 13.4 ppg and 8.0 rpg.
