Concordia University head men's basketball coach Kelly Boe has announced schedule changes that impact the first two weeks of the 2008-09 season. The Golden Bears will open the season at Williams Arena in the NABC Classic where they will face the University of Minnesota on November 14 to tip-off the season. Full 2008-09 Schedule

While the game is counted as an exhibition game for CU, the University of Minnesota will count the Concordia game as an official non-conference game, opening the Golden Gopher basketball season under second year head coach Tubby Smith.

"This is a great opportunity for our program. It will provide us some exposure to start the season," said Boe. "We thank the University of Minnesota for allowing us to compete in this tournament."

Following the match-up with the U of M on the 14th, Concordia faces Georgia State on November 15 at The Barn in what will be Concordia's official season opener. They close out competition on November 16 against Bowling Green, giving back-to-back Division I foes to start the year.

"These will be tough games for us," Boe continued. "Our thought process in competing at the NABC Classic is to prepare the team for a tough race in the Northern Sun. Hopefully this will make us a better team in the long run."

The tough race in the Northern Sun that Boe eluded to is the addition of four new teams: Minnesota State University, Mankato, Augustana, St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth, putting 14 teams in the NSIC in 2008-09.

The other game impacted by the schedule change is against Augsburg College, initially scheduled for November 15 at the Gangelhoff Center. It has been moved to Sunday, November 23 at 4:00 p.m. and the Golden Bears will no longer be competing in the Minnesota State University Tournament in Mankato, Minn.