Aug. 22, 2007
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The 2007-08 Iowa women’s basketball schedule was released today. The Hawkeyes could play 22 of 29 regular season games against teams that competed in 2007 post-season tournaments, including seven that participated in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa will play 18 games (two exhibitions) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the most regular season home contests in school history.
Before the regular season tips off, Iowa will host two exhibition contests in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will host Nebraska-Omaha (Nov. 2) and Missouri Western (Nov. 8).
Iowa returns 10 letterwinners and add three newcomers, including one sophomore transfer. The Hawkeyes will tip-off the regular season in back-to-back home games, first against Dartmouth (Nov. 11) and then in-state rival Drake (Nov. 13). The Hawkeyes then have four days to prepare for their first road contest at Northern Iowa (Nov. 18).
Following consecutive games against Missouri Valley opponents, Iowa will make its first of two trips outside the state in November and December to Cancun, Mexico. The Hawkeyes will make their first-ever appearance in the Caribbean Challenge against Arizona State and Mississippi State (game dates have not been finalized).
After spending Thanksgiving week in Mexico, Iowa returns to host Georgia Tech (Nov. 28) in the inaugural Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Hawkeyes follow up that contest with a visit from Detroit (Dec. 2) and then travel to Ames to face Iowa State (Dec. 5) in the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series.
“The new women’s Big Ten/ACC challenge will bring tremendous excitement to our already tough schedule,” said Head Coach Lisa Bluder. “We are thrilled we have the opportunity to host this year and we are playing a team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. What a great chance for our fans to get involved in a game the nation will have its eyes on. The ACC is one of the top women’s basketball conferences in America and the Big Ten is looking forward to meeting them in head on competition.”
Iowa will then return home to close its non-conference portion of the schedule with three home contests. The Hawkeyes will host the 22nd annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge, Dec. 8-9. Iowa welcomes Northern Illinois, Saint Joseph’s and last year’s WNIT champion Wyoming to this year’s field. The Hawkeyes open tournament play against Northern Illinois. Iowa has won 17 of the previous 21 tournaments. Iowa closes non-league play vs. Western Illinois (Dec. 22).
“We are going to face excellent competition in both tournaments,” said Bluder. “We are excited to travel to Cancun to play such high caliber teams. In addition, we are again thrilled to host our annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. We look forward to defending our title against three well-established women’s basketball programs.”
The Big Ten Conference expanded its league schedule from 16 to 18 games this season, marking the first time since the 1993-94 season that there will be 18 conference contests. Every team will play everyone twice, with the exception of playing two teams once. Iowa’s “one-plays” are at Illinois and home to Indiana.
Iowa opens Big Ten play with three of five road games. The Hawkeyes open at home vs. Penn State (Dec. 28) followed by road contests at Michigan (Dec. 30) and Minnesota (Jan. 3). Iowa returns home to host Ohio State (Jan. 6) and then travels to Michigan State (Jan. 10).
After playing three of five away from Iowa City, the Hawkeyes’ will be in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for five of their next seven. Iowa hosts Wisconsin (Jan. 13) and then will have eight days to prepare for its trip to Illinois (Jan. 21). The Hawkeyes return home for a two-game homestand against Purdue (Jan. 24) and Michigan (Jan. 27). Iowa then travels to Northwestern (Jan. 31) and then returns home for its last two-game homestand of the year, vs. Indiana (Feb. 3) and Michigan State (Feb. 7).
Iowa concludes league play with four of six on the road, starting with away contests at Penn State (Feb. 10) and Purdue (Feb. 14). The Hawkeyes return home to host Minnesota (Feb. 17) and then visit Ohio State (Feb. 21). After receiving its final “bye” the last week of February, Iowa finishes at home vs. Northwestern (Feb. 28) and then at Wisconsin (Mar. 2).
“I’m excited that we have five conference Sunday home games, which we haven’t had since 2001,” Bluder said. “That’s tremendous for our fans because it’s a much easier day for them to come out and support our team.”
Post-season play begins with the annual Big Ten Tournament (Mar. 6-10) held at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament begin March 22 and 25 at eight pre-determined sites.
Game times and Iowa’s television schedule will be released at a later date.
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