The Minnesota Golden Gophers' women's team opted to play in the 2012 WBI Tournament rather than accept a potential invitation to the 2012 NIT. They'll be hoping to raise a postseason trophy in 2012 and their road to that objective begins on Friday night.

The Golden Gophers finished the season with a 15-17 record, going 6-19 within their Big Ten Conference. On Friday night, they will face off against their 2012 WBI Tournament first-round opponents, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, who last played on March 10 in a 20-point loss to the Liberty Lady Flames.

CSU had a stronger season in 2011-12, going 17-14 overall and finishing with a 9-9 Big South record. Minnesota will be hoping to pull off the upset and advance.

Friday's game will tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET.

For more on the Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about women’s basketball in general at SB Nation’s Swish Appeal.