The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces 2008-09 Schedule
9/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 10, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A total of 15 home games, including contests in Bartow Arena against SEC foes Auburn, Georgia and Florida, highlight the 2008-09 UAB women's basketball schedule, Blazers' head coach Audra Smith announced on Wednesday.
"We have a really exciting schedule awaiting us this season," said Smith. "We have put together a challenging non-conference schedule as always, knowing that it will prepare us for conference play."
The Blazers will open the campaign at home for the first time in three years by hosting Stetson on Nov. 14. A pair of road games follow at South Alabama (Nov. 17) and Charlotte (Nov.21), before playing in-state foe Auburn at home on Nov. 26.
UAB will participate in a post-Thanksgiving tournament, the Samford Classic, on Nov. 29- 30. The Blazers will face Evansville on the opening day, followed by a game versus McNeese State.
"This tournament is a great opportunity for us," said Smith. "We have the chance to play two games close to home. We get to sleep in our own beds and have the comfort of home, even though they are away games."
The Blazers will host their second SEC foe of the season when Florida visits Bartow Arena on Dec. 3 before hitting the road for a game at Central Michigan on Dec. 6
Once again, UAB will have its annual Blazer Invitational tournament on Dec. 15-16. Joining the Blazers in the event will be Alabama State, Georgia State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
"The Blazer Invitational is always a success," said Smith. "It's always a fun and competitive event. We take great pride that we have won our own tournament the past five years."
Home games against SEC power Georgia (Dec. 20) and Alabama A&M (Dec. 29), along with a road contest at Mississippi State (Jan. 2) round out UAB's non-conference schedule.
"We feel good about our non-conference schedule," said Smith. "We are excited about hosting some very good SEC teams. We think we should get good crowds for these games.
"We try to play some of the toughest competition out there, year in and year out, to get us ready for Conference USA. We think this schedule will do that."
UAB's Conference USA slate begins on Jan. 4 with an away game at Memphis. The Blazers will return to Bartow Arena to play Southern Miss and UCF on Jan. 8 and Jan. 10, respectively.
UAB will then take to the road for four road games at Houston (Jan. 16), at Rice (Jan. 18), at Marshall (Jan. 22) and at East Carolina (Jan. 24). The Blazers will conclude the month of January at home versus Tulane on the 29th and UTEP on the 31st.
The month of February begins with UAB playing Memphis (Feb. 7) and Tulsa (Feb. 12) at home, while going on the road to take on SMU (Feb. 15).
The Blazers' final two home games of the season are against Marshall (Feb. 20) and East Carolina (Feb. 22). UAB will end its regular season on the road with games at Southern Miss (Feb. 26) and UCF (Feb. 28).
The 2009 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament is slated for March 5-8 in New Orleans, La.
"Conference USA is going to be unbelievable from top to bottom," said Smith. "It's always very competitive and there is such parity in this league.
"It's reassuring that every year when you being practice and start talking about pre-season goals, that every coach in this conference can legitimately say to their players that they have a chance to win the league title that year.
"This should prove to be an exciting season and we are ready for the challenges that lie ahead for us."
