Sept. 8, 2010

2010-11 Women's Basketball Schedule

DeKALB - Kathi Bennett's basketball history lies mostly in Wisconsin, but with the 2010-11 Northern Illinois women's basketball schedule announced Wednesday, the first-year NIU coach will become much more familiar with Illinois.

The Huskies face nine in-state teams in Bennett's inaugural season, including long-time rival DePaul (Dec. 11) and Northwestern (Dec. 15).

NIU opens the home schedule against Chicago State, Nov. 27, and host Loyola (Dec. 28) and Illinois State (Jan. 3). NIU hits the road to face Western Illinois (Nov. 16), Southern Illinois (Nov. 19), UIC (Nov. 30) and Bradley (Dec. 18), in addition to away games with the Blue Demons and Wildcats.

"Our program has a long history of playing the best Illinois has to offer," Bennett said. "I am excited to continue that tradition this season."

Northern Illinois starts the year at the Best Buy Classic, hosted by Minnesota, Nov 13. The Huskies play the Golden Gophers in the tournament's first round, and will face either George Washington or Green Bay in game two of the event, Nov. 14.

"This schedule presents an enticing challenge for our team," Bennett said. "We will learn very early on how to play on the road, and how to play in some tough environments."

Bennett is familiar with the Big Ten's Northwestern and Minnesota. She spent five years coaching against those teams while leading Indiana's program, and holds a combined 10-7 record against them in her career.

"Having coached against them, I have a tremendous amount of respect for those programs," Bennett said.

Games at Temple (Nov. 23) and Northern Iowa (Dec. 2) round out the non-conference schedule.

The Huskies open Mid-American Conference play Jan. 5 at the NIU Convocation Center against Eastern Michigan. Bennett's team will get the benefit of playing four of its first six conference games in the comfort of its home court.

Northern Illinois hosts defending MAC Champion Bowling Green, Feb. 1. The Huskies welcome defending MAC West Champion Toledo, who NIU defeated at home last year on senior night, Feb. 26.

The Huskies will have one exhibition contest before jumping into the regular season. NIU brings UW-Parkside to the Convo for a Nov. 10 tilt.