Basketball schedule continues to take shape

A week after they reportedly withdrew from the Hall of Fame Classic, the Gophers are seeking to host their own multi-team event (MTE) at Williams Arena as the team looks to build out its nonconference schedule in what has become a true chore.

The Gophers will potentially host Eastern Washington and Loyola Marymount as part of the three-team event, which would take place on Nov. 28 and 30. Teams across the nation have expressed frustration at putting together a non-conference schedule, and with the season just three weeks away it appears that some teams will take what they can get.

Eastern Washington won the Big Sky regular season championship last year and open up as KenPom’s 140th ranked team. Loyola Marymount checks in at 146 in KenPom, though the Lions went 11-21 in 2020.

Marcus Fuller also reports that Minnesota now has confirmed dates for games against North Dakota and Saint Louis. So, as the nonconference schedule comes together, here’s where we’re at:

Nov. 25 - Green Bay

Nov. 28 - Eastern Washington (MTE)

Nov. 30 - Loyola Marymount (MTE)

Dec. 4 - North Dakota

Dec. 8 - Boston College (Big Ten-ACC Challenge)

Dec. 20 - Saint Louis

Stay tuned!