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Pentagon Adds Another Game

Pentagon Adds Another Game

Photo: clipart.com


Another major NCAA Division I men’s basketball game is coming to the Sanford Pentagon for the 2015-16 season.

Minnesota and Oklahoma State will play a regular-season contest at the facility Dec. 12.

Tickets go on sale July 3 at 11 a.m. at ticketmaster.com and the Pentagon box office. Game time is to be determined.

The Pentagon in March also announced a Nov. 13 game between Iowa State and Colorado. That game is sold out

. “This college basketball season will be a fun one for hoops fans in this region,” said Eric Larsen, general manager of the Sanford Sports Complex. “The Pentagon is quickly becoming a destination for the nation’s top programs.” Minnesota went 18-15 last season and tied for 10th in the Big Ten with a conference record of 6-12. Oklahoma State, an NCAA tournament team in 2015, finished 18-14 overall and tied for sixth in the Big 12 at 8-10. “When the Sanford Pentagon approached us about playing a game, we jumped at the opportunity because of past experiences with other teams and how much they have raved about the facility,” said Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino. “It is run in a first-class way and something we wanted to be a part of.” The two programs have met five times, the last in 1986 when Oklahoma State topped Minnesota 77-66. Minnesota leads the all-time series 3-2. “We’ve heard nothing but great things about the Sanford Pentagon and the passionate college basketball fans in Sioux Falls,” said Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford. “It’s going to make for a first-class environment for this meeting of two great programs. Richard Pitino is doing great things at Minnesota, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this game.” Major Division I games are becoming routine for the Pentagon. In 2013-14, the venue hosted Wisconsin and St. John’s. Wichita State and Memphis played on Heritage Court last season.  Additionally, South Dakota and South Dakota State squared off with UNLV and Florida Gulf Coast University, respectively, last season.

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