Home-Heavy Slate Highlights 2015-16 KU Women’s Hoops Schedule

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – In his first season at the helm of the Kansas women’s basketball program, head coach Brandon Schneider will have the comfort of home throughout 2015-16 as the Jayhawks host more games inside Allen Fieldhouse during his inaugural season than they play on the road. Schneider unveiled the upcoming women’s basketball slate in its entirety on Friday morning.
 
Labeled by many as one of the best places in America to watch a college basketball game, Allen Fieldhouse is a special place for the game, but also for Schneider, who recalls goosebumps the first time he entered the building.
 
“My first visit to Allen Fieldhouse was in the fall of 1995,” Schneider shared during his introductory press conference. “I was a first-year coach and I called ahead to get permission to come and attend a men’s basketball practice. Before I even stepped on the court, I began to feel it. You know, the goosebumps, the hair on the back of your neck (standing up). There is a wave of something special about this place.”
 
Now, as the head coach, Schneider and the Jayhawks look ahead to a competitive non-conference lineup and an always challenging Big 12 schedule. With 17 of 29, and 19 total home contests including the exhibition games, 2015-16 matchups in Lawrence, fans will have plenty of chances to check out the new brand of KU women’s basketball.
 
“I’ve always thought that Kansas did a terrific job of putting together a tough non-conference schedule that wasn’t just made up of nine or 10 guarantee games,” Schneider said. “There are other BCS opponents on the schedule and two very good opponents from the Big East. I think that the administration does an awesome job of putting together a schedule that has lot of considerations with RPI and things that put us in a position to be prepared for not only Big 12 play, but also for consideration for the NCAA Tournament should we have a quality season.”

The Jayhawks first hit the hardwood with a pair of exhibition games against Pittsburg State (11/1) and Emporia State (11/8). Both programs are familiar to the new Kansas staff as Schneider led the Hornets to a National Championship in 2010 and faced the Gorillas several times a year while coaching ESU for 12 seasons.
 
The 2015-16 campaign officially kicks off on Nov. 15 against Texas Southern, who won the 2015 Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) crown for the second time in program history. The Tigers have competed in the WNIT the past three seasons and faced the Jayhawks during non-conference action in 2014 when KU won 69-44.
 
“When we got the schedule we started to see some light at the end of the tunnel and we are getting closer and closer to being able to practice and start preparing for what is going to be a challenging season, both in non-conference and conference action,” said Schneider. “We are very excited and enthusiastic about the upcoming season.”

Kansas faces Memphis on Nov. 19 before hitting the road for the only three-game road swing of the non-conference slate. The Jayhawks are set to play Arizona (11/23), one of two Pac-12 opponents in 2015-16, before heading to Dallas, Texas for two games at the SMU Thanksgiving Classic. While in Dallas, KU squares off with Cal State Fullerton (11/27) and either SMU or Northern Illinois (11/28). 
 
Following the Holiday road trip, the Jayhawks return home to close out the non-conference schedule with a six-game homestand. To begin the stretch of six games inside Allen Fieldhouse, KU will have a rematch of last season’s overtime thriller against Creighton (12/2), who defeated the Jayhawks, 84-81, in the final minutes of overtime at home.
 
Next, KU welcomes St. John’s (12/6) and UMKC (12/10) to Lawrence before hosting Navy (12/13) for the first time in program history. First time opponents continue when Washington State visits Allen Fieldhouse on Dec. 20. The Jayhawks close out the non-conference schedule by hosting Oral Roberts (12/22).
 
Kansas’ conference slate begins on Dec. 30 at Oklahoma, marking the earliest start to the Big 12 season since the league’s inception in 1997. For the second year in a row, the Jayhawks open Big 12 play on the road after kicking off 2014-15 in Austin.
 
“I’ve spent my entire coaching career in Big 12 country, so I am familiar with the coaches and different styles of play,” Schneider said. “Every single time you take the floor in this conference it’s a tremendous challenge. How the schedule is laid out doesn’t make a difference to me. I don’t know that you can overanalyze you got this opponent and that opponent in the same week. It doesn’t really matter, you’ve got to show up and play. For us to have a chance to win games, we’re going to have to put our best foot forward every game.”

During the month of January, Kansas will host West Virginia (1/3), Baylor (1/6), Texas (1/13), Kansas State (1/20) and Oklahoma State (1/24) in Allen Fieldhouse, while traveling to Iowa State (1/9), West Virginia (1/16), Texas (1/27) and Texas Tech (1/30).
 
In the second half of conference action, the Jayhawks welcome the Cyclones (2/2), TCU (2/17), the Sooners (2/20) and the Lady Raiders (2/27) to Lawrence. The final road trips of the Big 12 schedule include trips to the Lady Bears (2/6), the Wildcats (2/13), the Cowgirls (2/24) and the Horned Frogs (2/29).
 
The 2016 Big 12 Championship will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at Chesapeake Energy Arena from March 4-7.
 
Season tickets are on sale now and start at just $69 for a full season of basketball action in Allen Fieldhouse.  Family Zone tickets are also available and include two adult and two youth tickets to every home game for only $149.  To purchase tickets, click below or call 800.34.HAWKS.

The Jayhawks begin their 2015-16 campaign with Late Night in the Phog, which is hosted along with Kansas men’s basketball, on Friday, Oct. 9, inside Allen Fieldhouse. 
 
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