Provo, Utah (July 13, 2007) -- Eight teams that participated in postseason tournaments along with home games against UCLA highlight the 2007-08 nonconference schedule for the Cougar women's basketball team announced by head coach Jeff Judkins.
The schedule is slated with a total of 14 games that includes matchups against a pair of teams from the Big East, two WAC foes, and single games against squads from the Pac-10, and America East conferences. Of those contests, three will be versus first time opponents Connecticut, Sacred Heart and Arkansas State.
"I think this is one of our best preseason schedules we've ever hard," said coach Judkins.
"We're excited about our schedule because we're playing a lot of different teams that compete in very strong conferences."
After two exhibition games against Westminster on Oct. 30 and Eastern Oregon on Nov. 3, the Cougar team opens the nonconference season on the road, at UCSB and at Arkansas State on Nov. 9 and 13 respectively.
The season opener for the team is slated for Nov. 17 when BYU hosts WAC foe Fresno State on Nov. 17, followed by first time visits from Hartford on Nov. 20 and Seton Hall on Nov. 23.
A pair of road games with first time opponents from the Big East conference follow after the Thanksgiving holiday break. Perennial Connecticut, who went to the Elite Eight in last year's NCAA tournament and won its league race will host the Cougars on Nov. 29 followed by a game at Sacred Heart on Dec. 1.
"Connecticut is a premiere women's basketball program, and they along with UCLA, Hartford and UCSB are always at the top of the standings in their conferences," added Judkins.
A team that hasn't played in the Marriott Center since 1990 comes to Provo on Dec. 5. New Mexico State is the second WAC team on the BYU schedule. Three days later the Cougars host nearby instate rival Utah Valley University on Dec. 8. Then it's off to Big Sky country in Ogden as BYU battles another instate rival in Weber State on Dec. 13 at the Dee Events Center.
Cougar fans will enjoy the next home game for the team. UCLA comes to Provo for a matchup on Dec. 15. The Bruins haven't visited the Marriott Center since 2000.
The non-conference schedule concludes on Dec. 29 in Logan where the Cougars will renew their rivalry with Utah State. The two instate teams have not played each other since 1987.
"With our young team this year, the schedule will be a pretty big challenge for us, but I know it will prepare us for another very competitive and tough conference season," Judkins said.
All start times, TV games, along with the MWC schedule will be announced later.
DateDayOpponent
October
Oct. 30 Tues. vs. Westminster (exhibition)
November
Nov. 3Sat.vs. Eastern Oregon (exhibition)
Nov. 9Fri.at UC Santa Barbara
Nov. 13 Tues.at Arkansas State
Nov. 17 Sat.vs. Fresno State
Nov. 20 Tues.vs. Hartford
Nov. 23 Fri.vs. Seton Hall
Nov. 29 Thurs.at Connecticut
December
Dec. 1Sat.at Sacred Heart
Dec. 5Wed.vs. New Mexico State
Dec. 8Sat.vs. Utah Valley University
Dec. 13 Thurs.at Weber State University
Dec. 15 Sat.vs. UCLA
Dec. 29 Sat.at Utah State University