![Newcomer Isaiah Washington shoots during practice. ] LEILA NAVIDI ï leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: University of Minnesota mens basketball practice with new coach Richard Pitino at their first practice on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Williams Arena.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UDYC4TTE7J64XP63WUDATEWILY.jpg?&w=1080)
7 p.m. vs. Concordia (St. Paul) • Streamed on BTN Plus
First chance to see No. 15 play
Preview: The Gophers play their first exhibition game of the season, a day after being ranked 15th in the Associated Press poll. It's the program's highest preseason ranking since 1993-94. Richard Pitino returns five starters from the team that lost to Middle Tennessee in the NCAA tournament last season, including All-Big Ten first-team guard Nate Mason and Big Ten defensive player of the year Reggie Lynch. Concordia (St. Paul) went 6-25 last season, but the Golden Bears return junior guard Bryndan Matthews, who averaged 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Players to watch: Minnesota freshman guard Isaiah Washington was a crowd pleaser in Sunday's scrimmage at the Barn with 20 points. Jordan Murphy led the Gophers with 24 points in their closed scrimmage victory against Creighton on Oct. 22.
Numbers: The Gophers sold out their 2,200 student season tickets this season for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
MARCUS FULLER
