The Big Ten Network is giving all Minnesota fans a chance to see what they’ve may have been missing. The network and athletics department officials announced today that two of the Gophers’ first three men’s basketball game to open the 2007-08 schedule can be seen for free exclusively on www.BigTenNetwork.com.

Minnesota fans first opportunity to see the 2007-08 team, led by first-year head coach Tubby Smith, will be on Thursday, Nov. 1 when the Gophers take on Minnesota State, Mankato in the team’s first exhibition game at Williams Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The regular-season opener against Army on Saturday, Nov. 10 (2 p.m.) will also be webcast on BigTenNetwork.com.

With 19 Gopher men’s basketball games, including 13 conference games in high definition, the Big Ten Network and BigTenNetwork.com are the premiere viewing destinations for Golden Gopher basketball. In addition to men’s basketball, the network will show 10 women’s contests and Big Ten Conference Tournament action from Indianapolis.

Through distribution partnerships with DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-Verse and more than 150 cable companies, the Big Ten Network is the first network to reach 30 million households within its first 30 days. To get the Big Ten Network go to www.BigTenNetwork.com or call 866-WANT-B10.

Season and single-game tickets are available by calling the Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080 or 1-800-U-GOPHER. Tickets can also be purchased at gophersports.com.