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Gophers fans excited for big dance and Minneapolis Final Four

The Gophers are in the tourney at 10-seed as Minneapolis gears up for Final Four less than three weeks away

MINNEAPOLIS — As soon at the Gophers' seed was announced in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, fans Susan Sturms and Mary Bear-Dukes cheered.

The Minnesota Gophers are headed to the NCAA tournament for the second time under coach Richard Pitino, seeded 10th against 7-seed Louisville.

"Playing against his dad's old team," Sturms laughed.

RELATED: Gophers heading to Des Moines for NCAA Tournament

"They were hoping for a higher seed, but it doesn't matter," Bear-Dukes said.

"I thought they should have gone higher. Purdue got a third seed and Minnesota beat them twice this year," said Gophers fan Mark Amon.

The game will be played Thursday night, less than a 4-hour drive away in Des Moines.

"Should be a caravan going down there," Amon said.

Meantime, the Minneapolis Final Four Organizing Committee is working right through selection Sunday. 

Last week the NCAA announced Katie Perry will headline the concert at the Armory on Sunday April 7th.  But the headliners Friday and Saturday nights are still to be determined.

The concert is free, as are many other events.

RELATED: Katy Perry to headline free concert Final Four weekend

"It's more like, "What costs something" than "What's free," because it's mostly free and highly inclusive to the public," said Kate Mortenson, CEO of Minneapolis Final Four Planning Committee.

The Nicollet Mall where most of the free events will be held is looking more festive. The "Tip-Off Tailgate" starting there Friday April 5th will feature a free 10-story Ferris Wheel and other fan and kids' activities.  The acts on the free concert stage there have not yet been announced.

Tickets for the Fan Fest at the convention center run $10 for ages 13 and up.

Fans who are excited to see the Gophers back in the big dance also say they're excited for the activities coming to Minneapolis.

"Minnesota's blessed to have the Final Four here," said Bear-Dukes.

How to get concert tickets? They're free, but you have to get a pass and the Armory only holds 8400 people.  People with a Capital One credit card have the first shot starting at 10 am Tuesday. Everyone else can try to get a pass starting at noon on Friday.

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