Texas Tech women’s basketball released its 2012-2013 schedule Tuesday afternoon, and the Lady Raiders’ non-conference slate features four teams that made the postseason last season.
Tech opens the season at 2012 Women’s NIT qualifier Arizona State on Nov. 11 before traveling to Albuquerque to face New Mexico.
After seven consecutive home games — including a Dec. 16 match against 2012 WNIT qualifier Northern Colorado — the Lady Raiders face their toughest non-conference test against Michigan State and Oregon State Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 in Las Vegas, Nev., at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic.
Last season, the Spartans were a 10-seed in the NCAA tournament, and the Beavers reached the third round of the WNIT.
“In a road environment, playing that level of competition only prepares you for Big 12 play,” Tech coach Kristy Curry said. “So the four games we feel like we have on the road this year are definitely difficult and good environments for us to be in.”
Tech returns home to host Houston Dec. 30 before beginning Big 12 play at Oklahoma State on Jan. 2.
The Lady Raiders’ first home conference game is Jan. 5 against Iowa State.
On Feb. 17, the Lady Raiders will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1993 national championship team — the only national title the school owns in any team sport — against rival Texas.
The 1993 national championship team members and coaches will return for a weekend-long celebration of the title, but Curry was mum on all the details of the weekend.
The Big 12 Championship is in the American Airlines Center in March in Dallas, giving the Lady Raiders two trips to the Metroplex with TCU now joining its former Southwest Conference peers.
The Lady Raiders open with one exhibition against Midwestern State on Nov. 4.
With the exception of Oklahoma State and TCU, all of Tech’s Big 12 conference opponents made the NCAA Tournament last season. The Cowgirls qualified for and eventually won the WNIT.
Tech finished last season 21-14, including a 6-12 clip in the Big 12 and a third-round finish in the WNIT.
“I think (all the games are) pivotal when you play in this league; it’s the No. 1 RPI in the country,” Curry said. “You focus on that next game. Right now the next game on our schedule is against Midwestern State, so we’re taking it one at a time.”
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2012-2013
Comments (4)
Add commentCurry
Curry is now 35-63 in the league. Tech owes her 4 x $735,000.
This comment is complete.
Seriously?
How dumb does the AJ and Tech administration think that we are? This pre-season actually has only ONE team that made the NCAA playoffs. Michigan State was a lowly tenth seed. Texas Tech is indeed playing another Big 10 member, the Fighting Illini, but that team went 11-19 over all and 5-11 in conference play. Playing teams that made the NIT from the Big Sky or Mountain West does not make for a tough schedule. When Texas Tech is playing a Tennessee, UConn, or Stanford team then we can talk about a tough schedule. UT played Tennessee last pre-season, Baylor played Tennessee and UConn, but TTU continues to schedule the likes of Lipscomb, Lamar, Nicholls, and Southern Utah! WOO HOO!!!!!
It is laughable that yet another crummy pre-season schedule is being marketed as something fabulous. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!
Now now boys! (and girls)
Let's not get to hasty here! Maybe she (Curry) just needs 'one more year' to turn this thing around? At least that's what I've been told on here several times over the past 5 years!! Old saying, "You keep on doing what you've always done, you're gonna keep on getting what you've always gotten!" Kirby and company are 'content'....so we should be too!!
Wreck 'Em Lady Raiders
The Big XII conference schedule will boost the RPI of the team because it is so brutal. Go get 'em Coach Curry & Lady Raiders!!!!!!!