The Minnesota men’s basketball team has been given a tough start for Big Ten play.

The Gophers announced their full 2016-17 schedule on Thursday, which features two matchups with perennial power Michigan State in the first five conference games. The first half of Minnesota’s 18-game Big Ten slate also includes two games against Ohio State, a trip to Purdue and home games against Wisconsin and Maryland.

The Gophers wrap up the regular season on March 5 with a rematch on the road against the Badgers. The opener is Nov. 11 against Louisiana-Lafayette, one of 12 nonconference home games.

St. John’s on Nov. 18 and Arkansas on Nov. 22 are the highest-profile opponents set to visit Williams Arena.