DePaul University Athletics
Women's Basketball Unveils 2019-20 Nonconference Schedule
8/13/2019 3:42:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Two-time defending BIG EAST champion opens against Miami (Ohio) in Preseason WNIT
CHICAGO – Once again, DePaul women's basketball coach Doug Bruno has assembled a nonconference schedule that will have his players hit the ground running from the season-opening tipoff.
The Blue Demons (26-8) will open their 2019-20 season against 2018-19 WNIT qualifier Miami, Ohio (23-9) Nov. 8 in the first round of this year's Preseason WNIT. The 16-team field features a dozen programs that competed in the postseason last year.
DePaul ranked No. 24 in last season's final Associated Press national poll, No. 25 in the USA Today/WBCA final poll, repeated as BIG EAST Tournament champion and advanced to its 17th consecutive NCAA tournament.
Along with the Blue Demons, the Preseason WNIT field showcases NCAA Sweet 16 teams Oregon State (24-7) and Missouri State (25-10) along with NCAA tournament teams Boise State (28-4) and Portland State (25-7). Perennial national power Oklahoma (8-22) also looms large in the bracket, looking to bounce back from its first losing season after 16-straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Five more teams joined Miami of Ohio in last year's Postseason WNIT including UAB (26-7), South Alabama (25-11), Drexel (24-9), Pacific (19-13) and Prairie View A&M (17-14). Davidson (17-15) competed in last year's Women's Basketball Invitational.
The Preseason WNIT second round is Nov. 10-11 with a possible matchup against Drexel or Davidson. The semifinals are set for Nov. 14 and the title game Nov. 17.
Bruno & Co. will remain in tournament mode when they host the Maggie Dixon Classic at McGrath-Phillips Arena. They face Arkansas State (12-18) on Nov. 22 in the annual Field Trip Day game. DePaul provides admission, transportation and T-shirts to more than 2,000 elementary school students in hopes of opening their eyes to the potential of a college education.
Game two pits NCAA Second Round qualifier Miami, Fla. (25-9) against Postseason WNIT team North Carolina A&T (20-12). The third-place and title games are Nov. 23.
"Challenging our team every year by playing a very demanding nonconference schedule is a major and vital component of our DePaulBall culture," Bruno said. "Jumping right into the Preseason WNIT gives us the opportunity to play one-and-out basketball right out of the gate.
"Opening the season playing WNIT qualifier Miami (Ohio) followed by Drexel or Davidson---we will be challenged immediately."
Milwaukee (15-15) comes to town on Nov. 26 before the Blue Demons embark on a demanding three-game road stretch.
DePaul takes on Northwestern (21-15) on Dec. 1 in Evanston, travels to Green Bay (22-10) to face the Postseason WNIT Phoenix on Dec. 7 and visit NCAA runner-up Notre Dame (35-4) on Dec. 11.
The reigning BIG EAST champion returns home Dec. 14 to take on Alabama State (11-19) and two days later goes against NCAA Final Four national power Connecticut (35-3) at Wintrust Arena.
The nonconference portion of the Blue Demons' schedule concludes with a Dec. 20 matchup at North Side rival Loyola (13-18).
"Our schedule is always full of Top 25 opponents with Connecticut, Notre Dame and potential tournament matchups with Oregon State, Oklahoma, Missouri State and Miami demonstrating the degree of difficulty," Bruno said. "Local Big Ten rival Northwestern, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Loyola Chicago are all excellent programs.
"DePaul will once again host the Maggie Dixon Classic (Nov. 22-23) honoring the legacy of the former Blue Demon assistant coach and Army West Point head coach."
Coming through that nonconference gauntlet will have Bruno and his team primed in their quest for a BIG EAST championship three-peat.
"The BIG EAST has evolved into one of the best conferences in the country," Bruno said. "This year's nonconference schedule should have us ready to take on that BIG EAST challenge."
The Blue Demons (26-8) will open their 2019-20 season against 2018-19 WNIT qualifier Miami, Ohio (23-9) Nov. 8 in the first round of this year's Preseason WNIT. The 16-team field features a dozen programs that competed in the postseason last year.
DePaul ranked No. 24 in last season's final Associated Press national poll, No. 25 in the USA Today/WBCA final poll, repeated as BIG EAST Tournament champion and advanced to its 17th consecutive NCAA tournament.
Along with the Blue Demons, the Preseason WNIT field showcases NCAA Sweet 16 teams Oregon State (24-7) and Missouri State (25-10) along with NCAA tournament teams Boise State (28-4) and Portland State (25-7). Perennial national power Oklahoma (8-22) also looms large in the bracket, looking to bounce back from its first losing season after 16-straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Five more teams joined Miami of Ohio in last year's Postseason WNIT including UAB (26-7), South Alabama (25-11), Drexel (24-9), Pacific (19-13) and Prairie View A&M (17-14). Davidson (17-15) competed in last year's Women's Basketball Invitational.
The Preseason WNIT second round is Nov. 10-11 with a possible matchup against Drexel or Davidson. The semifinals are set for Nov. 14 and the title game Nov. 17.
Bruno & Co. will remain in tournament mode when they host the Maggie Dixon Classic at McGrath-Phillips Arena. They face Arkansas State (12-18) on Nov. 22 in the annual Field Trip Day game. DePaul provides admission, transportation and T-shirts to more than 2,000 elementary school students in hopes of opening their eyes to the potential of a college education.
Game two pits NCAA Second Round qualifier Miami, Fla. (25-9) against Postseason WNIT team North Carolina A&T (20-12). The third-place and title games are Nov. 23.
"Challenging our team every year by playing a very demanding nonconference schedule is a major and vital component of our DePaulBall culture," Bruno said. "Jumping right into the Preseason WNIT gives us the opportunity to play one-and-out basketball right out of the gate.
"Opening the season playing WNIT qualifier Miami (Ohio) followed by Drexel or Davidson---we will be challenged immediately."
Milwaukee (15-15) comes to town on Nov. 26 before the Blue Demons embark on a demanding three-game road stretch.
DePaul takes on Northwestern (21-15) on Dec. 1 in Evanston, travels to Green Bay (22-10) to face the Postseason WNIT Phoenix on Dec. 7 and visit NCAA runner-up Notre Dame (35-4) on Dec. 11.
The reigning BIG EAST champion returns home Dec. 14 to take on Alabama State (11-19) and two days later goes against NCAA Final Four national power Connecticut (35-3) at Wintrust Arena.
The nonconference portion of the Blue Demons' schedule concludes with a Dec. 20 matchup at North Side rival Loyola (13-18).
"Our schedule is always full of Top 25 opponents with Connecticut, Notre Dame and potential tournament matchups with Oregon State, Oklahoma, Missouri State and Miami demonstrating the degree of difficulty," Bruno said. "Local Big Ten rival Northwestern, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Loyola Chicago are all excellent programs.
"DePaul will once again host the Maggie Dixon Classic (Nov. 22-23) honoring the legacy of the former Blue Demon assistant coach and Army West Point head coach."
Coming through that nonconference gauntlet will have Bruno and his team primed in their quest for a BIG EAST championship three-peat.
"The BIG EAST has evolved into one of the best conferences in the country," Bruno said. "This year's nonconference schedule should have us ready to take on that BIG EAST challenge."
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