The Gophers men's basketball team will have just four web-streamed-only games in 2017-18, compared to nine last season, according to the television schedules released Thursday. That means more games on national TV.

The good news for Gophers fans is that you won't have to scramble to pay subscription to either BTN Plus or ESPN3 online for five of the first six regular-season games like last year. But the Gophers will have their first two home games available only online, with the season opener Nov. 10 against USC Upstate and the Nov. 15 game against Niagara both scheduled for BTN Plus.

Minnesota's first nationally televised game is expected to be Nov. 13 in the Gavitt Tipoff Games at Providence, but game times and TV haven't been announced yet. The first two Gophers basketball games on national TV currently scheduled are Nov. 19 against Western Carolina at Williams Arena on FS1 and Nov. 21 against Alabama A&M at the Barn on the Big Ten Network.

MARCUS FULLER