(Editor’s note: Montana State University media release)
BOZEMAN – The Montana State women’s basketball team will face eight opponents that advanced to postseason play and eight squads that posted 20 wins or more during its 2018-19 campaign, announced 14th-year Bobcat head coach Tricia Binford.
Marquette, South Dakota State, Wyoming, TCU, and Stephen F. Austin dot Montana State’s non-conference schedule. All five teams competed in either the NCAA or WNIT Tournaments, last season. In addition, the Bobcats will face Big Sky foes Northern Colorado, Idaho and Weber State twice this winter. All three teams enjoyed postseason action during the 2018-19 season.
Montana State announced in June it had been picked for the preseason WNIT. The Bobcats will play at Marquette on Nov. 9 in Milwaukee. The Golden Eagles went 24-10 overall, captured a Big East title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. MSU is guaranteed three games in the WNIT. The Bobcats will face either Northern Iowa or Delaware in the second round.
“We’re honored to be invited to the WNIT,” Binford said. “It’s a big deal for the program and it’s exciting for us to have an opportunity at a real prestigious program. When you look at the schools competing in the WNIT, a lot of them played in the postseason last year, so we’ll be challenged right from the start.”
The Bobcats will take trips to Wyoming, Nov. 27, and will travel to Texas to face TCU, Dec. 6, and Stephen F. Austin, Dec. 8.
“We’ve got a lot of conferences represented in the schedule,” Binford added. “I think our trip to Texas is going to be an extremely challenging one, especially being on the road in two great atmospheres. And, Wyoming is traditionally one of the toughest places to play.”
MSU’s non-conference home slate is highlighted by South Dakota State on Dec. 18. The Jackrabbits, who are a perennial mid-major power, went 26-7 overall last season. The Cats will also host Long Beach State, Nov. 30, and Omaha, Dec. 16.
“South Dakota State is one of the scariest programs at the mid-major level,” Binford said. “They know how to win and it’s a program we look at as we look to take the next step of being consistent NCAA Tournament team.”
The Bobcats will tipoff its season with the annual Bobcat Basketball School Day Game against Carroll College at 11 a.m., on Nov. 6. While the game is nearly sold-out with more than 6,000 kids and teachers planning to be in attendance, season ticket holders will be given priority access to claim tickets to the free event.
The Bobcats will open up its 20-game Big Sky Conference schedule hosting Southern Utah on Dec. 29. MSU will face Montana in the Brawl of the Wild in Bozeman on Feb. 2 and in Missoula, Feb. 23. The Big Sky Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament will take place March 11-15 in Boise, Idaho.
