University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Men Announce 2009-10 Schedule
8/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's basketball program announced its 2009-10 schedule today. The non-conference portion of the schedule includes 12 games, eight of which will be played at Williams Arena, while the conference schedule will include 18 games. Gopher fans will be able to see all of the Minnesota's conference games live on national television. Game times and television rights for the non-conference schedule will be released at a later date.
"We feel like we have put together a very formidable schedule that will test us as we start the 2009-10 season," said Golden Gopher Head Coach Tubby Smith. "We will have a chance to play quality opponents in the non-conference, including a Butler team that I believe could make a run at the Final Four this season, and the Big Ten Conference will probably be as good as it's been in a very long time. We know that we have a very challenging schedule."
The Golden Gophers open the regular season with three straight games at Williams Arena, beginning with a matchup against Tennessee Tech on Fri., Nov. 13. Minnesota will also play host to Stephen F. Austin on Mon., Nov. 16 and Utah Valley on Thurs., Nov. 19.
Four of Minnesota's non-conference games will be away from the friendly confines of Williams Arena. The Gophers travel to Anaheim, Calif. over the Thanksgiving Holiday for three games as part of the 76 Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center. Minnesota opens the classic against Butler on Thurs., Nov. 26 for the right to take on either UCLA or Portland on Fri., Nov. 27. Game three is scheduled for Sun., Nov 29.
Minnesota's game at Miami (Fla.) on Dec. 2 is part of the 11th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Gophers hold a 4-6 record in the Challenge, defeating Virginia, 66-56, last season at Williams Arena. For the fifth consecutive year, the Challenge will feature 11 games and include two telecasts on ESPNU with ESPN and ESPN2 combining to televise the remaining nine games. ESPN360.com, the broadband sports television network from ESPN, will simulcast the ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts.
The Gophers will have a six-game homestand from Dec. 5 to Dec. 29 after returning from Coral Gables. The Gophers battle Brown on Dec. 5, Morgan State on Dec. 8, St. Joseph's on Dec. 12, Northern Illinois on Dec. 15, South Dakota State on Dec. 23 and the Big Ten Conference opener against Penn State on Dec. 29.
The Gophers' conference opener against Penn State will air on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. In all, the Maroon and Gold will appear on the ESPN family of networks at least four times during the conference season, including the Gophers lone matchup against Wisconsin on Thurs., Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at Williams Arena, which will be broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2. Games at Purdue on Tues., Jan. 5 and home against Michigan on Thurs., Feb. 11 will also be on ESPN or ESPN2.
The Gophers play at least 12 games against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams and play at National Runner-up Michigan State on Wed., Jan. 13 in East Lansing. The Spartans visit Williams Arena on Sat., Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. in one of two confirmed CBS telecasts for the Gophers. They also appear on CBS on Sun., Jan. 31 at Ohio State. Minnesota plays at every Big Ten Conference school except Wisconsin and hosts every Big Ten Conference opponent except Illinois.
Additionally, Minnesota will appear on the conference's Big Ten Network a minimum of 10 times during the conference season.
The 13th annual Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament will be played Thursday, March 11 through Sunday, March 14 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. All 10 games will air nationally on ESPN, ESPN2, the Big Ten Network and CBS Sports. ESPN2 will carry the first two games on Thursday and the Big Ten Network will air the final game of the evening. On Friday, ESPN will broadcast the first two quarterfinal games while the Big Ten Network will air the remaining two contests. CBS Sports will televise the semifinal and championship games on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The Maroon and Gold's season actually gets underway on Thurs., Nov. 5, in an exhibition slate versus Minnesota-Duluth. Minnesota's other exhibition game will be Mon., Nov. 9 against Minnesota State-Moorhead. Both exhibition contests will be held at Williams Arena.
Gopher Men's Basketball Season Tickets are on sale now. Tickets for the 2009-10 season are available by calling 612.624.8080 or 1.800.UGOPHER.
The entire 2009-10 Minnesota schedule can be found above in PDF form.
