Published: August 14, 2008 09:37 am            

Solid schedule

OSU opens season against powerhouse Duke

Oklahoma State won’t have to wait long for a true road test.

The Cowgirls’ 2008-09 basketball schedule was released Wednesday and their season opener will take place on Nov. 14 at Cameron Indoor Stadium against Duke, which has qualified for the Sweet 16 in 11 straight seasons and advanced to the national championship game twice in that span.

The Blue Devils — which will make the return trip to Stillwater in 2009-10 — will be one of nine clubs O-State faces this year that appeared in the NCAA Tournament last season.

“I think this is the toughest schedule we have had to this point,” said O-State coach Kurt Budke.

Of the 29 games on the Cowgirls’ slate, 17 will be inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. OSU’s home opener will be against McNeese State on Nov. 18, and the school will also welcome opponents such as in-state foe Oral Roberts, Texas Christian, North Texas, Texas-Pan American and Centenary.

The month of December will be highlighted by a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the Desert Draw. The Cowgirls take on Southern Mississippi in the opener on Dec. 19, and square off with either Nevada-Las Vegas or Cal State-Northridge 24 hours later.

Budke’s squad opens Big 12 play on Jan. 10 at Iowa State, and its conference home opener will be Jan. 14 against Colorado. The first Bedlam game will take place Feb. 8 at GIA, and the Cowgirls return to Norman on Feb. 28.

“There are no off nights in the Big 12 and every game will be a battle,” Budke said. “Looking at our league schedule, I am reminded of the fact we play in the No. 1 RPI league in the country.”

The Cowgirls are coming off one of their best seasons in program history and will be aiming for their third straight NCAA tourney berth. They finished 27-8, which tied the school’s single-season win record, and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1991.

O-State’s top returnee will be junior Andrea Riley, who led the conference in scoring (23.1 ppg) and steals (2.9 spg) a year ago. Also coming back are seniors Taylor Hardeman and Shaunté Smith, junior Megan Byford and sophomores Kristin Hernandez and Alex Richardson.

        

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