Aug. 23, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s basketball team will participate in the FIU Thanksgiving Classic and the Maggie Dixon Surf `N Slam Classic during the 2012-13 season. The FIU Thanksgiving Classic is hosted in Miami by Florida International University. The Maggie Dixon Surf `N Slam Classic will be held in San Diego and is hosted by the University of San Diego.
The Hawkeyes play host-school Florida International on Nov. 23. The Panthers collected their first 20-win season since 2002 last year, finishing 23-4 overall and 10-6 in Sun Belt play. FIU advanced to the Sun Belt Championship semifinal and competed in the second round of the WNIT. FlU returns four starters, including its top two leading scorers.
LSU and West Virginia will also play in the FIU Thanksgiving Classic. LSU went 23-11 overall and 10-6 in SEC play a year ago, playing in the SEC Tournament championship game and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. LSU returns three starters and brings in the No. 20 ranked recruiting class by ESPN Hoop Gurlz.
West Virginia returns all five starters from last year’s team that went 24-10 overall and 11-5 in the Big East. West Virginia also advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa will play either LSU or West Virginia on Nov. 25.
Iowa opens play in the “Torero” Division of the Maggie Dixon Surf `N Slam Classic on Dec. 28 against Texas. The Longhorns were 18-13 overall and 8-10 in Big Ten play last season. Texas returns two starters, including its leading scorer, from last year’s NCAA Tournament team.
Central Michigan and host-school San Diego will play the other opening game. Central Michigan nearly qualified for the NCAA Tournament, falling in the MAC Tournament championship game on a last second shot. Central Michigan went 20-16 and made an appearance in the WNIT.
San Diego recorded its best record in program history last season, finishing 26-9 and tying for second place in the West Coast Conference. San Diego returns two starters from last year’s team that reached the WNIT semifinals.
Iowa will face Central Michigan or San Diego on Dec. 30.
Iowa’s complete nonconference schedule will be released early next week.