Marquette University Athletics
Women's Basketball Unveils 2008-09 Schedule
9/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 3, 2008
MILWAUKEE -
2008-09 Schedule in PDF Format 
Eighteen dates with teams that earned postseason berths highlight the 2008-09 Marquette women's basketball schedule announced Wednesday by head coach Terri Mitchell. Out of the 18 teams on the slate that earned post-season berths, 11 of those were NCAA Tournament teams.
"We know the formidable task ahead of us to compete in the BIG EAST, the best conference in the nation, and we feel our non-conference schedule will prepare us well for the grind of the BIG EAST," said Terri Mitchell. "At home and on the road we will play extremely high quality opponents that will get this team ready to compete in the nation's toughest conference come January."
The Golden Eagles hit the ground running and open the season at home against their first NCAA Tournament participant from a season ago in Oral Roberts on Nov. 15. Sacred Heart makes a visit to the Al McGuire Center on Nov. 17 before MU takes its first road trip of the season to Indiana State (No. 19) and Western Michigan (Nov. 23).
Following that first road tilt, Marquette will return home to host the WBCA Classic at the Al McGuire Center Nov. 28-30 where WNIT participant Gonzaga and NCAA Tournament teams Utah and Virginia will spend their Thanksgiving holiday in Milwaukee. Marquette will play Gonzaga on Nov. 28, Virginia on Nov. 29, and Utah to wrap-up the WBCA Classic on Nov. 30.
"All of our games are important, but we are extremely excited to be hosting one of the best tournaments in the country. To have Virginia, Utah and Gonzaga in our home arena speaks volumes about Marquette and the quality opponents we can attract. Not just the Marquette community, but the city of Milwaukee should get behind the tournament because of the great brand of basketball fans will see for three straight days at the Al McGuire Center. This type of tournament will prepare us not only for BIG EAST play, but also for the BIG EAST Tournament where we will face tough opponents back-to-back-to-back."
Next, the Golden Eagles hit the road for a quick trip to Evanston, Ill., to play Northwestern on Dec. 2. They will return home to host Kansas on Dec. 7 before a trip to Madison, Wis., to meet the Badgers on Dec. 13. Following its short trek to Madison, Marquette will host Oregon (Dec. 17) and Green Bay (Dec. 20).
The Golden Eagles will return to Michigan to play at Oakland (Dec. 28) and will close out the non-conference portion of their schedule at "The Al" against Wis.-Milwaukee on New Year's Eve.
For the fourth consecutive season, Marquette will open BIG EAST play at home. The Golden Eagles host USF for the conference lid lifter on Jan. 3.
Fans will be treated to incredible BIG EAST Conference home match ups as MU will host five of the BIG EAST's record eight NCAA Tournament participants from as season ago in Notre Dame (Jan. 13), Syracuse (Jan. 27), Connecticut (Feb. 7), West Virginia (Feb. 15) and Louisville (March 2). Rounding out the Golden Eagles' home slate are WNIT participants Villanova (Feb. 10) and St. John's (Feb. 21).
"It is always with great anticipation we look forward to our BIG EAST schedule because you can't overlook any opponent. It is wonderful for us to have eight post season teams at home in Connecticut, who went to the Final Four, Louisville, Notre Dame who went to the Sweet Sixteen, Syracuse, West Virginia, who were NCAA Tournament teams, and Villanova, USF and St. John's on our home court in front our fans," said Mitchell.
On the road in conference play, Marquette will match up with Rutgers (Jan. 18), Georgetown (Jan. 21), Pittsburgh (Jan. 30), USF (Feb. 3), Cincinnati (Feb. 18), Providence (Feb. 25) and DePaul (Feb. 28).
"Every league game builds momentum. With each of those games we are going to get that much better and gain much more experience. From January through March there is an exciting brand of basketball played starting with USF and ending with Louisville. We couldn't ask for anything better to get ready for the post season," said Mitchell.
The BIG EAST Tournament, which will include all 16 teams in 2009, is set for March 6-10 at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.
Season ticket packages are currently available. Individual game tickets will go on sale on Oct. 4. For more information call 414-288-GOMU or visit GoMarquette.com.
Remaining BIG EAST game times and televised games will be announced at a later date.
