SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah women's basketball head coach
Lynne Roberts announced the 2018-19 non-conference schedule today, highlighted by seven games and an exhibition in the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
ÂIn 11 non-conference games this season, the Utes will face five teams that appeared in post-season play in 2018 along with Power Five competition from the SEC. After finishing the 2017-18 season with 18 wins and another trip to the post-season, the Utes are ready to get the ball rolling.
"Despite graduating four seniors, the character, talent, and work ethic we have in our returning core, along with some very talented newcomers has us excited to get this season underway," Roberts said.
"The Pac-12 is a conference where iron sharpens iron and we must use our non-conference schedule to prepare our team. With two Power Five opponents and some highly competitive teams from the region on the docket, it will be a great test for our group before we head into the rigors of Pac-12 play."
After an exhibition game against Westminster College on Oct. 31, the Utes get things started on Wednesday, Nov. 7 when they take on the Nevada Wolf Pack in Reno. Utah is 7-0 all-time against Nevada, including a 3-0 series lead when playing on the road.
It is a quick road trip with Utah returning to Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 13 to start a three-game home stand. They start things off with Alabama on Nov. 13, followed by a pair of games against Long Beach State (Nov. 16) and Idaho State (Nov. 19).
Alabama and the Utes met for the first time in program history last season with Alabama edging the Utes in Tuscaloosa by just five points. The Utes have not faced Long Beach State or Idaho State since 2013 and 2014 with Utah holding the all-time series lead against both opponents.
Heading into the final two games of November, Utah hits the road to take on Eastern Washington in Cheney, Wash. on Wednesday, Nov. 21 before returning to the Huntsman Center on Nov. 26 for a game against Seattle University. The last time Utah and Eastern Washington faced off was in 1994 with Utah coming away with a 67-38 win.
The Utes start the month of December with three straight games home games against in-state foes Utah Valley (Dec. 1), BYU (Dec. 8) and Weber State (Dec. 15). Utah and the BYU Cougars will be playing for the 105
th time in program history with Utah holding a 64-40 lead in the all-time series.
Utah will end its non-conference slate in Las Vegas, Nev. as they compete in the Duel in the Desert. The Utes will battle the Florida Gators on Dec. 20 to open the tournament and then play the winner of the Hawaii/UNLV game on Friday, Dec. 21.
Utah's full schedule with conference games, game times and TV/streaming details will be released at a later date.