The Big Ten Conference announced the dates for league play Wednesday, allowing IU women’s basketball to finalize its schedule for the upcoming 2017-18 season.
Times for games have not yet been announced, but the dates for all 29 of IU’s regular season games are set. The date of IU's exhibition contest against Gannon University has also been set for Nov. 6.
The Hoosiers will begin conference play at home against Michigan State on Dec. 28.
That game against the Spartans is followed by a road trip in which the Hoosiers will play the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year’s Eve for the second-straight season. IU plays three of its first five games and three of its last four games on the road, but the Hoosiers will also play a stretch of four home games in a row at the end of January and beginning of February.
"The Big Ten schedule once again provides us with a great opportunity to play elite teams that will be exciting for our fan base to watch," IU Coach Teri Moren said in a release.
IU will play Purdue twice this season, at home on Jan. 6 and on the road on Feb. 12. Senior day is scheduled for Feb. 17 against Nebraska.
Nonconference dates and opponents had already been announced ahead of Wednesday’s Big Ten schedule release, but locking in the conference schedule rounds out the Hoosiers’ slate of games for this season. Before league play begins, IU will play seven nonconference home games and seven nonconference games against teams who played in the postseason last year.
"We've built up our non-conference schedule to prepare us for this type of play, and I'm looking forward to the challenge and opportunity to compete in this league,” Moren said in the release.
IU returns its two leading scorers from last season in senior guard Tyra Buss and senior forward Amanda Cahill. The veteran duo, which combined for more than 30 points per game last season, will look to lead a Hoosier squad that includes five freshmen.
Fans can get their first look at this year's IU women’s basketball team at Hoosier Hysteria, which is set for Oct. 21.
Jake Thomer
