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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The North Dakota State Bison are about to have their big moment.

The Bison play their first-ever NCAA tournament game Friday at the Metrodome. Standing in the way of a second is Kansas, the No. 3 seed.

Defending NCAA champion Kansas is likely to bring plenty of fans, but the Bison could be the closest thing to a home team in the tournament. About 12,000 Bison alumni live in the Twin Cities alone, with plenty more in Minnesota and North Dakota.

This is North Dakota State's first season in Division I, while Kansas is the defending national champion with one of college basketball's richest traditions.

The day's other games at the Dome include West Virginia against Dayton, Boston College against USC and Michigan State against Robert Morris.