Women's hoops schedule announced

FAYETTEVILLE – Seventeen home games, 12 post-season teams and four first-time opponents highlight the 2010-11 University of Arkansas women’s basketball schedule.

Razorback head coach Tom Collen announced his schedule today and is excited about the challenges for the upcoming season.

"I’m very excited for the start of the 2010-11season," Collen said. "We are more talented and experienced than a year ago and our schedule gives us many great opportunities to showcase our team and our program this season."

This year begins with a five-game regular season home stand with a pair of bonus games to get things started. The Razorbacks will open with a traditional Red-White game in late October followed by an exhibition contest with Missouri Southern, Nov. 3.

The season officially tips with Florida A&M Nov. 12, followed by home contests with Davidson, Nov. 14; Mississippi Valley, Nov. 17; Middle Tennessee State, Nov. 21 and Tennessee State, Nov. 23, giving fans a good look at this year’s team.

Davidson is a first-time opponent from the Southern Conference. The Wildcats are under the direction of first-year head coach Michele Savage and were 14-15 last season.

Arkansas also hosts the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State. MTSU was an NCAA Tournament team last season going 25-6 on the year.

The Razorbacks face their first road challenge over the Thanksgiving holiday traveling to the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic where they take on the host Miners along with High Point and Idaho State in the two-day event.

The road stand continues for Arkansas as the Razorbacks travel to Texas-Arlington and WNIT second round participant Utah to start December. The Razorbacks’ only other meeting with the Utes came in the 1997-98 season when the teams met on a neutral court in Texas.

The Razorbacks return home to close December with three games in Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas hosts WNIT participant and border rival Oral Roberts Dec. 16, and Final Four participant Oklahoma Dec. 19, as the semester winds down.

The year concludes with a home date with Furman Dec. 28, another first-time opponent for the Razorbacks.

"I like our schedule this year," Collen said. "Opening with five games at home gives us a chance to build some confidence and momentum if we play well enough to win. Middle Tennessee will be a big game early in the season.

"I think we have a great mix of games home and away," Collen continued. "Oklahoma will be a great test just before Christmas break."

The Southeastern Conference schedule begins Jan. 2 with WNIT second round member Florida as the first of the 16-game league schedule. This year’s slate is balanced with home and road contests with the longest stretch just two games.

Arkansas hosts Regional finalist Kentucky Jan. 6, followed by a road game at Regional participant Mississippi State Jan. 9. The Razorbacks face the third consecutive NCAA Regional team in Georgia at home Jan. 13.

The first of two road games takes the Razorbacks to Alabama, Jan. 16, followed by a trip to NCAA Tournament player Vanderbilt Jan. 20. The month concludes with WNIT participant Ole Miss, Jan. 23; NCAA Tournament second-rounder LSU Jan. 27 and perennial powerhouse and NCAA Regional team Tennessee Jan. 30.

February has a six-game schedule beginning with back-to-back home contests against South Carolina Feb. 6 and Auburn Feb. 13. South Carolina was the site of one of the most exciting comebacks in program history when Arkansas rallied from an 18-point deficit last year picking up a big, late-season win.

The Auburn game is part of the SEC’s television package and is scheduled to air on ESPN.

Arkansas faces Ole Miss for the second time of the season in Oxford, Miss., Feb. 17, followed by second meetings with LSU, Feb. 20; at Kentucky, Feb. 24; and Alabama Feb. 27.

"We play the same five teams twice as we did last year in the SEC and we are looking forward to some tough matchups with LSU, Kentucky and Georgia," Collen said.

The post-season begins with the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn., March 3-6. Razorback fans will be treated to a bonus game when Arkansas hosts SIU-Edwardsville after the SEC Tournament on March 10. The post-tournament game is becoming popular among teams as they prepare for NCAA and WNIT Tournaments.

"I knowour fanshave high expectations for our program," Collen said. "We are really working hard on playing well at home and controlling our own fate thoughout the season. We have great fans and they deserve to see us play well against all of the great teams on our schedule."

Season tickets for the 2010-11 Razorback women’s basketball season will be available soon. Times for this season’s games are currently being finalized and will be posted on ArkansasRazorbacks.com as soon as they are available.

2010-11 University of ArkansasRazorback Women’s Basketball Schedule

All Fayetteville games played in Bud Walton Arena (19,200) All times Central*Southeastern Conference gameLog on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com for times