SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Sanford) – The Minnesota vs. Oklahoma men’s basketball game on Nov. 9 at the Sanford Pentagon will be presented by Coaches vs. Cancer.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities and advocacy programs.
During the game, leaders from Coaches vs. Cancer, the American Cancer Society and Sanford Health will celebrate cancer survivors including honoring those affected by cancer with a moment of silence. Funds will also be raised for the American Cancer Society and the Sanford Health Foundation supporting the Sanford Children’s Cure Kids Cancer program.
Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger is the chair of Coaches vs. Cancer and Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino is also involved in the organization. Since 2017, Sanford Health has been the presenting sponsor of the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic.
“This is a unique partnership that shows how passionate Sanford Health and the American Cancer Society are about health care and basketball,” said Kevin Lampe, president of Sanford Sports. “Teaming up for this game demonstrates the alignment between the missions of both organizations, and we are happy to help shine a light on this partnership in our home region.”
The contest will be Minnesota’s third trip to the Pentagon, which has hosted 25 NCAA Division I men’s college basketball games since opening in 2013. The Gophers lost to Oklahoma State 62-60 on Dec. 12, 2015, and defeated Vanderbilt 56-52 on Dec. 3, 2016. This will be Oklahoma’s first visit to the Pentagon.
This will be the ninth meeting between Minnesota and Oklahoma, with the series tied at 4-4. The last time the teams met was in 2004 at the Great Alaskan Shootout where the Sooners won 67-54.
A member of the Big Ten, Minnesota is coming off a 22-14 season, finishing seventh in the conference. The Gophers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season before falling to eventual Final Four participant Michigan State.
Oklahoma, a Big 12 program, finished the 2018-19 season with a 20-14 record. The Sooners advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, before falling to eventual national champion Virginia.
Tickets to the game are available at ticketmaster.com.
