TicketsSept. 15, 2005
Contact: Geoff Wiswell
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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Thirteen games against teams which appeared in the postseason last year highlight the University of Cincinnati's 2005-06 women's basketball schedule, its first as a member of the BIG EAST Conference.
The Bearcats will play seven teams teams which reached the NCAA Tournament and six games against WNIT participants. Five of this NCAA teams will play in Fifth Third Arena, including Elite 8 finisher Rutgers (Jan. 3) and former national champion Notre Dame (Feb. 25).
UC opens the regular season against 2005 Northeast Conference champion St. Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 19, then hosts East Tennessee State (Nov. 23) and Detroit (Nov. 26).
After the annual Crosstown Shootout at Xavier on Nov. 30, the Bearcats have five-straight home games, including Southland Conference champion Texas-Arlington (Dec. 14) and Big Ten foe Indiana (Dec. 17). The non-conference schedule closes with road games at Dayton (Dec. 22) and Oregon State (Dec. 29).
UC's inaugural season of BIG EAST play opens with Rutgers coming to town, followed by road games at Providence (Jan. 7) and five-time national champion Connecticut (Jan. 12). The Bearcats then have four of their next six games at home, including contests against NCAA Tourney qualifier St. John's (Jan. 18) and regional rival Pittsburgh (Feb. 4).
After trips to DePaul (Feb. 8) and Villanova (Feb. 11), UC returns home for three of its final five games for matchups with West Virginia (Feb. 15), Louisville (Feb. 18) and the Fighting Irish on Feb. 25.
SCHEDULE NOTES
Cincinnati's 2005-06 opponents compiled a 426-361 record in 2004-05 for a .541 winning percentage.
The Bearcats play five teams ranked in the Top 50 of the final 2004-05 RPI ratings and 14 in the Top 100.
UC plays 13 teams which advanced to postseason play last season. The Bearcats face seven NCAA Tournament teams: Connecticut, DePaul, Louisville, Notre Dame, Rutgers, St. Francis (Pa.) and Texas-Arlington. UC also has six games against WNIT participants Marquette, St. John's, South Florida, Villanova, West Virginia and Xavier.
Cincinnati opens its home season against St. Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 19. The Bearcats have won their last nine home openers.
With the move to the BIG EAST, UC will face several first-time opponents, including Connecticut, Georgetown, Providence, Rutgers, St. John's , Seton Hall and Villanova. The Bearcats will also face Fordham for the first time.
Of UC's 26 opponents, 15 return at least eight letterwinners from last year and 12 teams return at least four starters.