2013-14 OU Women's Basketball Schedule Released

OU Coach Sherri Coale and Athletic Director Joe Castiglione announced the Sooners' 15-game non-conference schedule Wednesday.

The Big 12 Conference also announced its women's basketball schedule for 2013-14, completing the calendar for Oklahoma's 40th season.

"Once again, we're able to showcase our team in front of our home fans with 12 of our 15 pre-conference games inside the Lloyd Noble Center," Coale, who begins her 18th season as head coach, said. "We're excited to be tested early, with the Preseason WNIT, and often, with several superior opponents both home and away, as we prepare for the Big 12 schedule and the path to the NCAA Tournament."

The Sooners boast the return of four starters from last season's Sweet 16 squad and expect the return of two with starting experience, redshirt-freshman guard Maddie Manning and sophomore forward Kaylon Williams, from season-ending injuries. OU also introduces five true freshmen.

"The schedule is well-balanced and will challenge our core group of veterans and introduce our newcomers to the college game. I'm thrilled to begin the next season of Oklahoma Women's Basketball."

Oklahoma begins the 2013-14 season hosting two exhibition games. Cameron visits the Lloyd Noble Center Saturday, Nov. 2, and Central Oklahoma visits Nov. 5.

As previously announced, Oklahoma will be a host of the Preseason WNIT and play Stetson in the first round Nov. 8. The Sooners will meet either Wichita State or IPFW, opponents in another first-round game Nov. 10. The third round is scheduled for Nov. 14 with the Preseason WNIT Championship Game to be televised live nationwide Nov. 17 on the CBS Sports Network.

Oklahoma hosts UT Arlington Nov. 20, before traveling to Los Angeles to meet UCLA for the third time in just over a calendar year on Nov. 24. OU and UCLA split their contests last season with the Bruins stealing victory at OU's home opener before the Sooners ran away in the NCAA Second Round.

Creighton, who joins the Big East Conference this season after winning a share of the Missouri Valley Conference crown last year, visits Norman Dec. 1 to start a string of homestands that includes Western Illinois on Dec. 4, nationally-ranked Duke on Dec. 8, and Maryland Eastern Shore on Dec. 15.

OU makes a swing through New England over the Winter Break, playing at Fairfield Dec. 18 and Marist Dec. 21 before returning home for its non-conference finale against Samford on Dec. 29.

The Big 12 Conference schedule features a double round-robin format of 18 games with two visits against each league opponent, one at home and one away.

Oklahoma's conference calendar is bookended by games versus Texas Tech. OU and the Lady Raiders play in Lubbock, Texas, to begin the Big 12 season Jan. 2 and end the slate in Norman on March 3.

The Sooners remaining home conference dates are Jan. 5 vs. Iowa State, Jan. 11 vs. Kansas State, Jan. 25 vs. TCU, Feb. 1 vs. Oklahoma State, Feb. 3 vs. Baylor, Feb. 13 vs. West Virginia, Feb. 19 vs. Texas, and Feb. 22 vs. Kansas.

The NCAA announced in June rules changes that will be implemented for the 2013-14 season. A 10-second backcourt rule, like in the men's college game, will be instituted and the five-second closely guarded rule in the backcourt has been eliminated.

Officials have also been granted more access to replay reviews at certain periods of the game to determine shot-clock violations, whether a shot was a two-point or three-point field goal, possession and to determine which player should be credited with a foul. Officials may also use the monitor to determine if a flagrant foul has been committed.