University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set To Face Bemidji State in Exhibition Opener
11/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EXHIBITION No. 1
MINNESOTA
vs.
Bemidji State
NOVEMBER 3, 2006 • 7 p.m.
WILLIAMS ARENA • Minneapolis, Minn.
Television: None
RADIO: Gopher Radio Network - Mike Grimm, PBP; Kevin Lynch, analyst
STORYLINES
• This is the first meeting between the two schools.
• This is the second timein two years the Gophers have faced a team from the Northern Sun Conference.
• Minnesota holds a 14-1 record in exhibitions under Monson, winning both exhibitions last season over SW Minnesota State, 59-50, and over UMD, 78-64. Minnesota’s only was to the Harlem Globetrotters in 2001-02.
• Seven Minnesota players will see their first game action tonight. Freshmen Bryce Webster and Lawrence Westbrook, redshirt freshman Kevin Payton and Damian Johnson, junior college transfers Limar Wilson and Bryce Webster along with Oklahoma transfer Lawrence McKenzie don the Maroon and Gold for the first time in their careers.
MATCHUP
Minnesota opens its exhibition season against the Bemidji State Beavers of the Northern Sun Conference. Both teams are introducing plenty of new faces into their programs. The Gophers have seven newcomers and eight of the Beavers 11 players are new to the BSU lineup along with head coach Matt Bowen and his coaching staff.
SCOUTING the Beavers
First year head coach Matt Bowen will make his head coaching debut after 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Alabama-Birmingham and Valparaiso. The River Falls, Wis., native was a student manager for Indiana from 1990-91 to 1993-94 for head coach Bob Knight. He joins a long list of former Indiana student managers in the coaching ranks including New Jersey Nets Head Coach Lawrence Frank, a manager with IU from 1989-92.
