College basketball's opening weekend is upon us. The Gophers open with a pair of games and should get a taste of two worlds, opening Friday vs. soft pastry UMKC (8 p.m. Williams Arena) before getting what should be a good test Sunday vs. Louisiana-Monroe (2 p.m. Williams Arena, BTN). Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook projects the Warhawks to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference, but Road to Selection Sundaytabbed ULM as the Sun Belt's preseason NCAA automatic qualifier.
The K.C. Kangaroos, meanwhile, are picked to finish third in the WAC, but that's quite deceiving.