Opening Tipoff: Louisville- Minnesota season opener is finally here

Tonight's game against No. 8 Louisville in Puerto Rico tips off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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LIVE BLOG GOING ON NOW ...

Five things as I contemplate staying here forever ...

1. We've been talking about this matchup for about a year now (Richard Pitino begrudgingly reminds me of this all the time), and now the day has come. Don't worry, we've got your fix for passing the next 10 hours: Tons of coverage, both online and in the paper, highlighted by today's glance into the Rick Pitino, Richard Pitino father-son relationship and the individuals themselves -- they aren't quite as similar as you might think. Also, from yesterday, cue Daft Punk: At the start of Pitino's Year 2 at Minnesota, this team looks different.

MORE READING: Minnesota's frontcourt will focus on containing Montrezl Harrell. Notes from the Pitino-Pitino joint press conference in Louisville. Notes from paradise, yesterday.

2. The college basketball season is just hours from its official kickoff. The Gophers have already recorded and released their first Raise the Barn episode. Watch it here.

4. Harrel isn't the only test. Minnesota's DeAndre Mathieu and Andre Hollins face a tough challenge as well, against Chris Jones and Terry Rozier in Louisville's backcourt. Mathieu: "They're really talented. Two guys that have been in the system, two guys that are supposed to have breakout years. It's going to be interesting because me and Dre, we're ready and our backcourt is ready. We've got Squirrel. Nate's finally back. So we're really ready."

5. Fast fact: The last time Minnesota faced a top-10 team in a season opener was 1994, when the Gophers won over fifth-ranked Arizona.

MY PREDICTION (deep breath): Gophers by 2.

Random Rankings:

Most interesting things I've encountered in Puerto Rico.

2. The beaches. True untouched (or at least minimally touched) beauty that doesn't exist elsewhere in the United States (once Hawaii, no more). And that water. Mmmm hmmm.

3. Iguanas, operating as traffic cones.

4. The Coast Guard. Genuinely friendly and down to earth types. Cool to see a little part of what they do.

5. Fried plaintains. Lord have mercy. Also, meat that falls off the bones and chorizo everything. Also, a gluten-free wafflewich. What? What? What?

6. Puerto Rican drivers, operating as death traps -- going either 30 miles above or 30 miles below the speed suggestions.

8. Coffee. Best I've had since I left Barcelona the last two mornings, and it came from the most unassuming roadside bodega.

9. Bucket hats for the Gophers. And they wore them too.