Packed schedule in store for Gopher sports over Thanksgiving weekend

Mar 6, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers mascot Goldy during a timeout in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Williams Arena. Penn State defeated Minnesota 66-63. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Thanksgiving break applies only to non-athletes, apparently.

Both men’s and women’s basketball play three consecutive games on the road through the holiday weekend. However, their destinations are more common for spring break.

Women’s coach Pam Borton will seek win No. 201 against Richmond before taking on James Madison and Missouri in Cancun, Mexico.

Tubby Smith and the Gophers will play in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas with a opening round game against Duke on Thursday and a top-25 berth on the line.

Senior MarQueis Gray and the Gophers take on Michigan State at home Saturday with a chance to win in the regular season finale and on senior day.

Men’s hockey visits Vermont for a pair of game Friday and Saturday. The women travel to nearby New Hampshire for two games.

A big weekend indeed.