Women's Basketball Releases 2008-09 Schedule
9/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 2, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The women's basketball team has announced its 2008-09 schedule as it looks to make new strides under the guidance of head coach Wendell Hudson. This season's slate includes 17 regular-season games on the Tide's home court and features 10 teams that advanced to post-season action.
"We are very excited about this upcoming season," said Head Coach Wendell Hudson. "I believe our non-conference schedule is going to help us prepare tremendously for SEC competition. In addition, I hope these games will help us gain confidence as a team as we head into conference play."
Following the annual Crimson & White matchup and an exhibition contest against West Alabama, the Tide opens up its regular season with back-to-back home games against Centenary (Nov. 14) and Samford (Nov. 18). Alabama, then, hits the road for the first time this season when it travels to take on Hampton (Nov. 22).
Upon return, the Tide has one home game against Alabama State (Nov. 25) before heading to Nevada to take part in the Nugget Classic (Nov. 28-29) where potential opponents include Louisville, Northern Iowa and Nevada.
"Not only do we play some good teams early on, but we also play these good teams on the road," Hudson remarked. "That is something that will always help your team as the season goes on."
Alabama fans will get a heavy dose of their women's basketball throughout December as the Tide play seven of its next eight contests at home. Central Florida (Dec. 3) and Sam Houston State (Dec. 7) travel to Tuscaloosa to open the month before Alabama's final away game of 2008 against Sun Belt runner-up Middle Tennessee State (Dec. 14). The Tide will then welcome Florida A&M (Dec. 17), Austin Peay State (Dec. 20) and Alabama A&M (Dec. 22) prior to a brief holiday break in action.
Alabama resumes play on Dec. 29 when it hosts the Crimson Tide Holiday Classic. On the opening leg of the two-day tournament, Ball State and Richmond will hit the floor first with Alabama and Belmont to follow. The second day will feature both consolation and championship matchups.
The Tide will ring in the new year with its final non-conference opponent of the season when it travels to Southeast Louisiana (Jan. 3).
Alabama begins Southeastern Conference play with a trio of teams advancing to the post season last year. The Tide will first host Vanderbilt (Jan. 8) before traveling to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers of LSU (Jan. 11). Alabama then welcomes Kentucky for a mid-week matchup at Coleman Coliseum (Jan. 15).
The Tide will play its next three of four on the road with the first at Ole Miss (Jan. 18) followed by in-state rival Auburn (Jan. 22). Alabama returns home for a Sunday contest against Georgia and has a week break in between action prior to its game in Nashville against Vanderbilt (Feb. 1).
The second half of the conference slate has the Tide hosting Florida (Feb. 5) and Auburn (Feb. 8) and traveling to two-time defending national champion Tennessee (Feb. 12) followed by South Carolina (Feb. 15).
To close out the regular season, Alabama welcomes Ole Miss (Feb. 19), travels to Arkansas (Feb. 22) and wraps things up at home against Mississippi State (March 1). The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament will take place March 5-8 in North Little Rock, Ark.
Alabama women's basketball season tickets are available for purchase through the Athletic Ticket Office at 205-348-2262 (BAMA), toll free at 877-TIDETIX, or by logging on to www.rolltide.com.
