The Gophers men’s basketball team’s first exhibition opponent — at least on paper — is better than half of their nonconference foes during the upcoming regular season.

New head coach Niko Medved and Minnesota welcome North Dakota State to Williams Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff Thursday.

According to KenPom’s analytics site, the U is 73rd in the country, while the Bison are 215. That’s better than season-opening opponent Gardner-Webb (311), as well as Alcorn State (325), Green Bay (326), Texas Southern (300) and Fairleigh Dickinson (349).

This year, the NCAA allowed for the scheduling of two exhibition games against Division I opponents, and the U will also host North Dakota (314 in KenPom) at The Barn at 2 p.m. on Oct. 25.

“I think there is interest in playing these teams,” Medved said. “I

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