2010-11 Non-Conference Schedule

Non-Conference Schedule Announced!
One of the most overlooked aspects of a successful program is how important and vital scheduling is. Not only is it extremely important, but very, very difficult – especially for a successful mid-major. No one wants to play you, and when you’ve won 30 straight regular season games at home, absolutely NO ONE wants to play you at your place! That is what makes the 2010-11 non-conference schedule even more special – we’ll be saying farewell to Anderson Arena with more home games in the non-conference than we’ve had in almost 30 years! Of the 13 non-conference games we’ll play in 2010-11, 7 will be at home! As Coach Miller, the architect of the schedule, says:
“I’m very excited about playing seven non-conference home games in the final season at Anderson Arena. We feel we have put together a very challenging schedule to prepare us for the grueling Mid-American Conference schedule.”
In dissecting this year’s non-conference schedule, it will be more than challenging. Six of the 13 teams on the non-conference slate advanced to national post-season play last year; eight of these 13 won at least 17 games last year, and five of these opponents won 21 or more in 2009-10.
The best coaches understand that scheduling is a vital aspect to a program’s success, and hence it’s no surprise that Coach Miller does a fantastic job scheduling games that fit the needs and goals of our team every year. As he says about the November portion of the schedule:
“We have a very heavy November schedule. We have a veteran team, with six seniors, and they will have to be ready to go right out of the gate.”
That November schedule:
November 12th - At Evansville (Missouri Valley Champions 2 of last 3 years)
November 15th – Vs Creighton (21-11, WNIT 2nd Round last year)
November 17th – Vs Youngstown St (former Akron Asst. Bob Bolden 1st yr as head coach)
November 20th – Vs Oakland (17 wins last season)
November 24th – Vs Detroit (17 wins last season)
November 26th – vs Arkansas Little Rock at Seattle Tournament (27-7 last year, advanced to NCAA 2nd round, and returns entire roster).
November 27th – vs Seattle / Montana State (Montana St winners of 18 games last year, with Seattle being the tournament host)

The UALR game will be one of the most challenging of the season, as Coach Miller says:
“The Arkansas Little Rock game is a great matchup. UALR has gotten some early accolades from various websites, and they are being recognized as one of the top mid-major teams in the country. They return almost their entire starting lineup, including a Wade Trophy watch-list player in Chastity Reed.”

December may have fewer games, but the competition is no less formidable, with three home games and three road games during the month:

December Schedule:

December 1st – Vs Vanderbilt (SEC and national power won 20+ games for the 11th straight year, and has been to the NCAA Tournament 11 straight years.)
December 4th – Vs Cal-State Fullerton (won 15 games and graduated just 2 seniors)
December 9th – at Western Kentucky (WNIT, 21-11 last year, with 11-4 home record)
December 11th – at Austin Peay (NCAA Tournament team)
December 21st – Vs Canisius (perennial MAAC power)
December 29th – at Butler (23-10, WNIT, and a 12-2 home record last year)


Vanderbilt may be the ‘big name’ on this season’s schedule, but it is the quality mid-major opponents that make this year’s non-conference schedule so challenging. As Coach Miller goes on to say:

“Our schedule is filled with some of the best mid-major programs in the country. I am pleased to be able to play a lot of games against teams that will have a great chance of winning their respective conferences.”

Our program hopes two things will come of this schedule – 1) that it will prepare us for a run at a 7th straight Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship and a run to a MAC Tournament title, and 2) that it will get YOU as excited as we are and get you to come out and support us in Anderson Arena’s final year!

Come help us Close the Doors on the House that Roars!