FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University’s basketball teams will host their annual season-opening "Late Show" event on Friday, Oct. 16, in front of a national television audience.

North Dakota State is one of nine Division I programs scheduled to appear on ESPNU Midnight Madness coverage, the network announced Thursday.

The four-hour broadcast begins at 8 p.m. CT and will be simulcast on ESPN2 between 10:30 and 11 p.m.

It’s the fourth year ESPNU has televised the popular event, which marks the beginning of the college basketball season nationwide.

Other schools being featured are Connecticut, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina and Washington.

NDSU’s event, "The Late Show With Bison Basketball," will be held at the Bison Sports Arena. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. with events beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Free pizza will be served to the first 400 fans in attendance. Player introductions, a three-point shootout, a slam-dunk contest, and intrasquad scrimmages by both NDSU teams are planned.

There will be a T-shirt toss and other entertainment, and fans can sign up for a chance to make a half-court shot for $10,000.

ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo will host the show alongside ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz and college basketball analyst Adrian Branch. On-site commentary will be provided by Jim Barbar.