2012-13 Non-Conference Schedule
POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State women's basketball coach
Seton Sobolewski announced the non-conference schedule for the 2012-13 season today. The 2012-13 non-conference line-up looks to be one of the more challenging seasons for Sobolewski and the Bengals with competitors like Kansas State, Kansas, Nebraska and Arizona State as well as just three official home games in the preseason.
“We usually play a pretty tough preseason schedule and this one probably ranks up there with the year we played Texas, Texas Tech, UTEP and Utah,” Sobolewski said. “We like to have our players play in front of their home crowds at least once before they graduate so we planned some of those games to facilitate that. We wanted to get some players the opportunity to play close to home as well as continue to play a tough schedule.”
The Bengals begin the 2012-13 campaign with an exhibition contest with Colorado State-Pueblo. Tipoff is at 12 p.m. at Reed Gym.
Following the exhibition, ISU officially opens the season against Kansas State and Kansas on the road. ISU takes on the Wildcats Friday, Nov. 9 in Manhattan, Kansas before facing the Jayhawks Sunday, Nov. 11 in Lawrence Kansas.
“Having
Taylor Floyd on the team, we were trying to get back to Kansas to play a few games so her family could see her play,” Sobolewski said. “While we were out there we figured we would play a couple of games instead of just one. Both of these teams were in the NCAA Tournament last year. Kansas State made it to the second round and they are perennial powers in the Big 12 Conference. Kansas on the other hand made it to the Sweet 16 in the tournament last year. They have very good guard play and a lot of returners.”
The Bengals then return to Pocatello for the official home opener against Air Force at Reed Gym at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17.
The Bengals return to the road after Air Force for contests against Boise State, South Dakota and Nebraska. ISU faces in-state rival Boise State Tuesday, Nov. 20 before taking a short break for Thanksgiving, a change for an ISU team that usually spends the holiday on the road.
“We are usually playing in a tournament around Thanksgiving,” Sobolewski said. “With 20 conference games there wasn't a need to find a tournament this year. So we're home for Thanksgiving which I think a lot of people are going to like and hopefully we can do some good team bonding around that time. I know a lot of the players are going to appreciate being able to see their families during Thanksgiving break.”
ISU returns to action after the holiday against South Dakota at Vermillion, S.D., Thursday, Nov. 29 before travelling to Lincoln, Neb., for a challenge with the Huskers Saturday, Dec. 1.
“We play South Dakota and Nebraska in the same road swing,” Sobolewski said. “South Dakota's head coach left to take the head coach position at Colorado State and they graduated some of their marquee players but they have some very good returners. Nebraska is another NCAA Tournament team led by some very good guard players. They have an excellent point guard in Lindsey Moore. They are returning a lot of good players and they are always tough to play at home.”
The Bengals wind up the preseason against Utah Valley and Carroll College at home taking on the Wolverines Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:05 p.m. and the Fighting Saints Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:05 p.m.
The final non-conference match-up will be against Arizona State Sunday, Dec. 30 in Tempe, Ariz.
“Obviously Arizona State is going to be another tough game right after Christmas break,” Sobolewski said. “They are a Pac-12 team and a team I know very well. I'm good friends with the coaches there and our former assistant Ashley Elliott is an administrative assistant there now. It will be a tough game but I'm excited and happy to have Kaela [Oakes], Abyee [Maracigan] and Lindsey [Reed] close to home so their friends and family can come and watch them play.”
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