Gophers women's basketball non-conference schedule heavy with NCAA tournament teams

The Gophers women basketball team released its non-conference schedule on Monday, revealing six matchups with opponents that competed in last year's NCAA tournament before the holidays.

Coach Marlene Stollings' third season at Minnesota's helm will feature a trip to South Carolina, which finished the year at No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, home games against Sweet Sixteen participant Florida State, Seton Hall, Army and Belmont, and a Bahamas date with Georgia in the first round of the Junkanoo Jam. The Gophers would face either South Florida, a tournament qualifier, or North Carolina in the second round.

Minnesota will play five of the 13 games away from Williams Arena in total, with additional road bouts against VCU and New Mexico.

After going one-and-done in the NCAA tournament in coach Marlene Stollings' first season, the Gophers lost in the second round of the WNIT last season.

"This is our strongest schedule since my staff has arrived," Stollings said in the school's release. "We are looking forward to the challenge it will provide for our players and the excitement and energy it will give to our fans."

Here is the full non-Big Ten schedule:

Nov. 12 – Harvard

Nov. 15 – at VCU

Nov. 18 – Georgetown

Nov. 20 – Seton Hall

Nov. 24 – Georgia (Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas)

Nov. 25/26 – South Florida or North Carolina (Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas)

Nov. 30 – Florida State (ACC/ Big Ten Challenge)

Dec. 6 – at New Mexico

Dec. 8 – Army

Dec. 11 – at South Carolina

Dec. 14 – Belmont

Dec. 22 – Kent State xyxyxyxy

Howard Sinker •