Northern Kentucky’s women’s basketball team announced its slate of contests for the 2017-18 season, aimed to prepare the Norse for their second season of NCAA postseason eligibility under the direction of second-year head coach Camryn Whitaker.
The Norse will play one preseason exhibition and 11 games leading up to the Horizon League slate, with six games hosted inside BB&T Arena. Following the nonconference schedule, NKU enters into a home-and-home League slate with the nine other member institutions of the Horizon League.
“With the new look of our team, we have assembled a challenging slate of nonconference games that will help us prepare for Horizon League play,” noted Whitaker. “We look forward to hosting quality opponents to provide an exciting atmosphere for our fans in BB&T Arena.”
Nonconference Highlights
· NKU hits the hardwood for the first time in an exhibition tilt against Asbury on Saturday, Nov. 4, before officially opening the season on Saturday, Nov. 11 against Kent State.
· The Norse hit the road for a mid-week contest at Illinois State on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and remain away for a Saturday matchup at Murray State on Nov. 18.
· The brief road stint is followed up by a pair of home games on Tuesday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 25, against Robert Morris and Oakland City, respectively.
· The team closes out the month of November at former Atlantic Sun foe, Stetson, on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
· NKU hosts its final home games of the preseason on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 9. Austin Peay comes to Highland Heights for the first game, while the Norse will face Big Ten opponent Indiana for the second-straight season on Dec. 9.
· After a 10-day break from action, the Norse head to the coast to take on North Florida and Jacksonville in the Sunshine State on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 19 and 20, respectively. On the way back to the Bluegrass, NKU closes out nonconference action against another former A-Sun rival, playing at ETSU on Friday, Dec. 22.
Horizon League Highlights
· The Norse open up Horizon League play at home against Milwaukee (Dec. 28) and Green Bay (Dec. 30) before ringing in the New Year in the Mitten State against Detroit Mercy (Jan. 4) and Oakland (Jan. 6).
· NKU returns home to host for two-straight weeks, welcoming Wright State and Cleveland State on Jan. 13 and 15 before IUPUI and UIC come to town on Jan. 19 and 21.
· Following four games at home, the Norse will face four opponents on the road: Youngstown State (Jan. 25), Cleveland State (Jan. 27), Green Bay (Feb. 1) and Milwaukee (Feb. 3).
· After a pair of home contests against Oakland (Feb. 8) and Detroit Mercy (Feb. 10) that coincide with Homecoming, the Norse enter into a busy stretch of four games within eight days. NKU first travels to Wright State on Feb. 17 before closing out the home schedule on Feb. 19 against Youngstown State. The squad will end the regular season on the road at UIC (Feb. 23) and IUPUI (Feb. 25).
· The first day of competition in Motor City Madness, the 2018 Horizon League Basketball Championship in Detroit, is dependent upon the team’s finish during the regular season. The opening rounds are played on March 2 with the championship final on March 6.
Norse Notes
· The Norse roster features five returners from the 2016-17 campaign and eight newcomers. Mikayla Terry will provide leadership as the lone senior on the squad, while NKU will also see veterans Hannah Clark, Molly Glick, Taryn Taugher and Laura Thomas on the floor.
· The incoming class adds a great deal of height, as the eight new faces average six feet tall. Junior transfer guard Kennedy Archer, who joins the Norse from Coastal Carolina, will have to sit out the 2017-18 campaign due to NCAA transfer rules.
In the post, NKU adds Chyna Anthony, Jazmyne Geist and Grayson Rose, while Kailey Coffey, Samari Mowbray, Reece Mungar and Grace White will compete as guards.
Promotions and Tickets
· Season tickets are available for $60 for adults and $50 for youth ages 13-17. All Norse Kids Club members are admitted free. For more information, visit NorseTickets.com or contact Micki Ford at (859) 572-7848 and fordm10@nku.edu.
· A variety of promotions are scheduled for NKU fans, listed below. Additionally, all Saturday games are Shootaround Saturdays, when young fans are invited to take the floor and shoot around following the game.
· Nov. 4 vs. Asbury: National Candy Day – prizes and candy giveaways
· Nov. 11 vs. Kent State: Salute to Service Day – free admission to all veterans
· Nov. 21 vs. Robert Morris: Victor’s Hoops 4 Health Day – school groups register for free admission here
· Nov. 25 vs. Oakland City: Thankful Game – share what you are thankful for with NKU
· Dec. 5 vs. APSU: Stress-Free Ice Cream Social – ice cream sundae station for all students
· Dec. 9 vs. Indiana: Holiday Hoops – pictures with a holiday photo booth and fan item giveaway
From NKU Athletics
