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Minnesota State High School League officials are taking an optimistic view of unexpectedly bumping heads with Gophers basketball tonight.
The boys' basketball state tournament begins today with four Class AA quarterfinal games at the St. Paul Civic Center. Besides the Gophers' NIT game against Southern Cal at Met Center, the Timberwolves play San Antonio at Target Center.
"The Gophers are drawing a lot. They're really hot," said Skip Peltier, an associate league director in charge of the boys' tournament. "They'll fill up. And I think they're causing a great amount of excitement in all basketball: pro, high school and college. . . . I think we will still get the high school fans."
At least Peltier hopes so. "Hockey and girls' basketball attendance was down," he said. "I think it's a sign of the times. The recession is having an effect on a lot of people."