2011-12 Women's Basketball Schedule
Head Seattle University women's basketball coach Joan Bonvicini has released the 2011-12 schedule, which is highlighted by 17 home contests, a pair of holiday tournaments and five teams that participated in last year's NCAA Tournament.
"We are very excited and feel that we have a very challenging schedule. We feel good about having 17 home games, but know we are going to be challenged both home and away. Our home schedule is highlighted by our two tournaments, featuring solid teams from across the country."
"In addition, we face a pair of Pac-12 teams on the road in crosstown rival Washington and Final Four powerhouse Stanford later in the season. We are very excited about the season, hope fans come out and support us, and our goal is to get to postseason this year," said Bonvicini.
Fans will have their first opportunity to see the Redhawks in action on Nov. 2, as SU hosts Puget Sound in an exhibition contest in the Connolly Center. Seattle U will open the regular season with a two-game home stand, kicking off the year with UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 11, followed by a Nov. 13, game versus NCAA Tournament participant UC Davis.
On Nov. 16, a rivalry will be renewed as the Redhawks travel to Alaska Airlines Arena to face the crosstown Huskies of Washington. The Redhawks were edged 58-53 by UW on Dec. 9, 2009 in their last meeting in the Connolly Center.
SU will remain in Seattle playing at home through much of December, hosting their first game at KeyArena in 2011-12 versus San Diego on Nov. 19, as part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team.
The third annual Seattle U Thanksgiving Tournament will feature Akron, Loyola Chicago and San Francisco, and will run from Nov. 25-26, in the Connolly Center. Day one will feature Akron and Loyola Chicago to open the tournament and Seattle U will host USF to conclude the day. The tournament will conclude with a consolation and championship game on Nov. 26.
December will open with a game versus Bonvicini's former program Long Beach State on Dec. 2, before a quick road trip to Boise State on Dec. 4.
After facing the BSU Broncos, SU will host a trio of West Coast Conference squads, beginning with Portland on Dec. 11. They will wrap up the home stand with Santa Clara on Dec. 13, and Saint Mary's on Dec. 14.
On Dec. 21, the Redhawks will travel across the country to face UALR in Little Rock, Ark. for their final pre-Christmas game.
Following a quick break for the holiday, Seattle U will host the Delta Dental Holiday Hoops Tournament from Dec. 29-30. Participating in the two-day tournament hosted at KeyArena are: Eastern Michigan, Saint Francis (Pa.) and Saint Louis. Saint Louis and Eastern Michigan will play prior to the Redhawks game versus NCAA Tournament participant Saint Francis. Day two action will feature a consolation and championship game.
January will kick off with a series of road games, with home games slotted in between. The Redhawks open 2012 with a solo road game in Moscow, Idaho, as SU faces the Vandals of Idaho on Jan. 5. SU returns home to Colorado State on Jan. 8, before traveling to Fresno State to face the Bulldogs on Jan. 11. On Jan. 14, Seattle U will host Chicago State, prior to traveling to California for a pair of games. On their Golden State road trip, SU will square off with Pacific (Jan. 17) and UC Irvine (Jan. 22). The Redhawks return to the Connolly Center to close out the month of January versus BYU on Jan. 25.
The final leg of the 2011-12 season will open on the road, beginning in Milwaukee, Wisc. SU will face UW-Milwaukee on Feb. 1, before traveling back to the Pacific Northwest to face Portland State on Feb. 9, in Portland, Ore.
Utah Valley travels to the Emerald City for a Feb. 18 contest, before SU makes a return visit to Chicago State on Feb. 22. The Redhawks then host UC Riverside on Feb. 26, before facing perennial powerhouse and NCAA Tournament Final Four participant Stanford on Feb. 29, in Palo Alto, Calif.
The regular season will cap off with a pair of games versus Cal State Bakersfield. The Redhawks conclude the home half of the schedule with the Roadrunners on Mar. 3. Prior to first tip, SU will host their annual Senior Night ceremony. A week later on Mar. 10, the Redhawks close things out in Bakersfield, Calif. with CSUB.
The Redhawks are not eligible to participate in the NCAA Tournament, due to the reclassification process; however they are eligible for non-NCAA Tournament postseason tournaments.
Season tickets are still available for the women's basketball season. For more information, please contact the Seattle U ticket office at 206-398-GOSU (4678) or log onto GoSeattleU.com.