Gophers Basketball Releases 2016-17 Schedule

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The University of Minnesota men's basketball team announced its 2016-17 regular season schedule on Thursday, a slate that includes 21 home games.

The Gophers will host Bemidji State for an exhibition on Nov. 3. The season starts for real on Nov. 11 as Minnesota hosts Louisiana-Lafayette at Williams Arena for its season and home opener.

The non-conference slate also includes home games against St. John's (Nov. 18) and Arkansas (Nov. 22). The Gophers also travel to Florida State Nov. 28 for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They also face Vanderbilt at the Sanford Pentagon on Dec. 3.

Minnesota opens Big Ten play Dec. 27, hosting Michigan State. The Gophers then hit the road to face Purdue (Jan. 1) and Northwestern (Jan. 5). The Gophers host Wisconsin Jan. 21, then face Ohio State on the road four days later.

Minnesota ends its regular season at rival Wisconsin on March 5. The Big Ten Tournament starts March 8 in Washington, D.C.

The Gophers are looking to make a big improvement from winning just eight games last year, including two in Big Ten play.

Richard Pitino is entering his fourth season as head coach.