Minnesota will not get to play the annual rivalry football game against Wisconsin this weekend, but Gophers hoops are getting their season started.

The basketball season for the Gopher is set to tipoff Wednesday evening against Green Bay. That game time is set for 7 pm EST on BTN+ with Minnesota announcing the addition of two non-conference games Tuesday evening.

According to the team’s official Twitter account, the Gophers are going to play a two-game weekend series against Loyola Marymount. The first contest will be Saturday evening before taking on LMU again Monday evening:

Chalk this two-game matchup to the oddities of the non-conference slate during the COVID pandemic. Minnesota would not often play a two-game series with a non-conference opponent, but this is still a good way to get two games of action in without having to worry about travel or lining up a new opponent. Provided everyone tests negative, that is.

Either way, it is simply good to see another season of basketball set to get going. Hopefully the Gophers get rolling on the right foot with good results without many issues.