This looks for the time being like we are getting back to a reasonably challenging but not killer (like last year) schedule.
Tennessee and Baylor are the marquee match ups, Baylor here at home and Tennessee on the road.
Also Ohio State here, but a diminished Ohio State compared with last year--but here at home, and very early. That is actually going to make November a fun month, an exhibition and three lesser teams to get ready for tOSU.
Then off to Hawaii for a three game tournament. If we get a major team in that tournament then our schedule begins to look very tough. Hawaii usually plays in its home tournament, we have met Baylor and North Carolina there before. Last year it was Marist, Purdue, and USC. So I imagine we will have at least one game against a team from a major conference.
One week after Hawaii we go to Gonzaga that could be tough. Then home for finals and then we host Baylor 13 days after Gonzaga. 3 days later we play at Tennessee--that is a fast turnaround and Tennessee is always tough at home. Then 3 days after that we play at Buffalo--a mid major that made it to the sweet sixteen last year by beating Florida State before losing to South Carolina, respectably. Their best player graduated and is playing professionally in Australia now--she is an Aussie. Travel to Buffalo in mid December could be interesting, and coming in rapid succession after Baylor and Tennessee will make for a difficult stretch. Are we recruiting anyone in New York?
Finally back home for a late December tune-up game against Northridge at home. I would anticipate a couple of Pac 12 matchups around New Year's eve to immediately follow Northridge.
All in all, a preseason that is plenty challenging--how much so depends a bit on the Hawaii tournament.
By the way, the season ticket renewal is slow this year--not until July, several weeks later than last year.
Tennessee and Baylor are the marquee match ups, Baylor here at home and Tennessee on the road.
Also Ohio State here, but a diminished Ohio State compared with last year--but here at home, and very early. That is actually going to make November a fun month, an exhibition and three lesser teams to get ready for tOSU.
Then off to Hawaii for a three game tournament. If we get a major team in that tournament then our schedule begins to look very tough. Hawaii usually plays in its home tournament, we have met Baylor and North Carolina there before. Last year it was Marist, Purdue, and USC. So I imagine we will have at least one game against a team from a major conference.
One week after Hawaii we go to Gonzaga that could be tough. Then home for finals and then we host Baylor 13 days after Gonzaga. 3 days later we play at Tennessee--that is a fast turnaround and Tennessee is always tough at home. Then 3 days after that we play at Buffalo--a mid major that made it to the sweet sixteen last year by beating Florida State before losing to South Carolina, respectably. Their best player graduated and is playing professionally in Australia now--she is an Aussie. Travel to Buffalo in mid December could be interesting, and coming in rapid succession after Baylor and Tennessee will make for a difficult stretch. Are we recruiting anyone in New York?
Finally back home for a late December tune-up game against Northridge at home. I would anticipate a couple of Pac 12 matchups around New Year's eve to immediately follow Northridge.
All in all, a preseason that is plenty challenging--how much so depends a bit on the Hawaii tournament.
By the way, the season ticket renewal is slow this year--not until July, several weeks later than last year.