TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) – The non-conference portion of the 2017-18 Florida State Women’s Basketball schedule has been announced, featuring three reigning NCAA Tournament teams in Arizona State, Texas and Creighton as well as a six-game home slate.
“We have put together another challenging non-conference schedule that prepares us well for conference play,” head coach Sue Semrau said. “Over the last few years we’ve had Top-20 non-conference schedules. These first 13 games of the season will provide us with yet another test and should help us grow as we enter ACC competition.”
Highlighting the home schedule is a matchup against Arizona State on Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The two teams have played twice since 2015, as FSU defeated ASU 66-65 in the 2015 NCAA Elite Eight, while ASU followed with a win over the Seminoles on Dec. 21, 2015, in Tempe.
Both teams have been ranked in each of the previous two matchups, with this year’s contest being the return game of a home-and-home schedule. The Sun Devils nearly knocked off 2017 national champion South Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 71-68 in Columbia, S.C.
Florida State hosts UNF for the fifth consecutive year in the season opener on Friday, Nov. 10. Its other home contests include Sacred Heart on Friday, Nov. 24, Samford on Sunday, Nov. 26, Stetson on Thursday, Dec. 7 and Jacksonville on Thursday, Dec. 28.
The majority of FSU’s non-conference schedule will occur on the road, with seven games at opposing arenas opposite of its six home matchups. The Seminoles have a difficult three-game stretch where they host the Sun Devils, then play at Texas on Sunday, Dec. 17, followed by a game at NCAA Tournament team Creighton on Thursday, Dec. 21.
The non-conference road schedule is set up to honor some of Florida State’s seniors in “homecoming” games, which has become a tradition under Semrau. On Sunday, Nov. 12, FSU plays its road opener at Jacksonville State, which is not too far from two-time All-American Shakayla Thomas’ hometown of Sylacauga, Ala.
On Sunday, Nov. 19, the Seminoles play at SWAC school Grambling State. The parents of redshirt senior guard Imani Wright, Bridgette Forte-Thomas and Larry Wright, each enjoyed standout collegiate basketball careers at Grambling State. Wright faced Grambling State in her first-ever collegiate basketball game in 2013.
Sandwiched between road trips at JSU and Grambling State is the annual matchup against Florida, this time in Gainesville on Friday, Nov. 17. FSU has defeated its chief rival 10 times in its last 14 meetings.
As previously announced, the Seminoles travel to Iowa for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 29. FSU then plays a road game at James Madison on Sunday, Dec. 3.
FSU’s game at Texas, another return game, will be familiar territory for both Wright (Baylor) and former TCU point guard and graduate transfer AJ Alix.
Creighton is another homecoming opportunity for senior center and Shelby, Neb., native Chatrice White on Thursday, Dec. 21. The Blue Jays reached the NCAA Second Round last season before falling to Oregon State, which FSU defeated in the Sweet 16.
Game times for all 13 non-conference games are to be determined. The Seminoles are also scheduled to host an exhibition on Sunday, Nov. 5, with the opponent and time also to be announced.
Florida State Women’s Basketball’s 2017-18 season ticket plan will be unveiled later next week.
FLORIDA STATE’S 2017-18 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
DAY DATE OPPONENT
Friday Nov. 10 North Florida
Sunday Nov. 12 at Jacksonville State
Friday Nov. 17 at Florida
Sunday Nov. 19 at Grambling State
Friday Nov. 24 Sacred Heart
Sunday Nov. 26 Samford
Wednesday Nov. 29 at Iowa*
Sunday Dec. 3 at James Madison
Thursday Dec. 7 Stetson
Sunday Dec. 10 Arizona State
Sunday Dec. 17 at Texas
Thursday Dec. 21 at Creighton
Thursday Dec. 28 Jacksonville
*Big Ten/ACC Challenge
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