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Gophers to battle Duke

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Nov 21, 2012 at 1:57 pm

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KNSI) 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 nonconference 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.