DePaul announces 2010-11 women's hoops schedule

The DePaul women's basketball team's 2010-11 schedule features eight NCAA Tournament teams and an additional 13 opponents that participated in the postseason WNIT last season.

DePaul is slated to play 16 games at McGrath Arena, and the Blue Demons host the opening round of the Preseason WNIT on Nov. 12 and the Maggie Dixon Classic Nov. 26-27.

"Our 2010-11 nonconference schedule is one of the toughest and most unique schedules in the program's history," head coach Doug Bruno said. "We have a great mix of both nationally prominent opponents and local rivals."

"The opportunity to play one-and-done basketball in the Preseason WNIT is always a great event full of quality NCAA tournament level opponents," Bruno added.

The Blue Demons open their season against Valparaiso in the Preseason WNIT. With the opening round in the books, the Blue Demons continue their way through the bracket Nov. 14-21 with the Preseason WNIT Championship being played on Sunday, Nov. 21.

DePaul plays six in-state rivals beginning Nov. 23 at UIC.

The Blue Demons open BIG EAST Conference play at Pittsburgh on Dec. 7 before playing local-rival Loyola-Chicago on Dec. 9.

DePaul plays four of its last five nonconference games at home - hosting Northern Illinois (Dec. 11), Northwestern (Dec. 13), national runner-up Stanford (Dec. 16) and New Jersey Tech (Dec.29). The Blue Demons' final road contest of the nonconference slate takes them to Arizona State on Dec. 21.

The BIG EAST Championship is scheduled for March 4-8 in Hartford, Connecticut at the XL Center while the NCAA Championship bracket will be announced March 14.

The Blue Demons are coming off a 21-12 season and the program's 15th NCAA Tournament appearance. DePaul returns all five of its starters from a year ago as well as preseason Sporting News second-team All-American Deirdre Naughton, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in July.