MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A nice trip to the Bahamas sure sounded like a great way for the Golden Gophers to spend the Thanksgiving weekend until they looked at the competition waiting for them.

Minnesota kicks off the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament on Thursday with a game against No. 5 Duke. The field also includes No. 2 Louisville, No. 19 Memphis, VCU, Stanford, No. 13 Missouri and Northern Iowa. That’s a major step up in the level of competition the Gophers have faced early in the non-conference schedule.

Minnesota opened the season against lightweights American, Toledo and Tennessee State before beating Richmond on Sunday to improve to 4-0.

Now they face the Blue Devils for the first time since a Sweet 16 game in 1989.

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