University of Minnesota Athletics
2016-17 Schedule Revealed
6/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
In its newly-released 2016-17 non-conference schedule, Minnesota women's basketball will face at least six opponents who played in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. A Nov. 30 home matchup with Sweet 16 qualifier Florida State will highlight the Golden Gophers' 13-game non-league slate. The Maroon and Gold will host eight games before beginning Big Ten play.
"This is our strongest schedule since my staff has arrived," head coach Marlene Stollings said. "We are looking forward to the challenge it will provide for our players and the excitement and energy it will give to our fans."
Minnesota is scheduled to open the regular season with a Nov. 12 home game against Harvard. In addition to the Seminoles, the Gophers will welcome 2016 NCAA Tournament teams Seton Hall (Nov. 20), Army (Dec. 8) and Belmont (Dec. 14) to Williams Arena. They will travel to Sweet 16 team South Carolina for a Dec. 11 game. The Gamecocks finished the season ranked No. 3/2 in the national polls.
Thanksgiving weekend will find the Gophers in the Bahamas for the Junkanoo Jam. They will face NCAA Tournament qualifier Georgia on Nov. 24, and will play either South Florida (NCAA Second Round) or North Carolina in their second matchup.
Three of Minnesota's non-league opponents joined the Gophers in last season's WNIT field: Harvard, VCU (Nov. 15 in Richmond) and Georgetown (Nov. 18). The Gophers will also face Detroit (Dec. 3), New Mexico (Dec. 6 in Albuquerque) and Kent State (Dec. 22).
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Nov. 12 | HARVARD | Williams Arena |
| Nov. 15 | VCU | Richmond, Va. |
| Nov. 18 | GEORGETOWN | Williams Arena |
| Nov. 20 | SETON HALL | Williams Arena |
| Nov. 24 | Georgia (Junkanoo Jam) | Bahamas |
| Nov. 25/26 | USF/North Carolina (Junkanoo Jam) | Bahamas |
| Nov. 30 | FLORIDA STATE (ACC/Big Ten) | Williams Arena |
| Dec. 3 | DETROIT | Williams Arena |
| Dec. 6 | New Mexico | Albuquerque, N.M. |
| Dec. 8 | ARMY | Williams Arena |
| Dec. 11 | SOUTH CAROLINA | Columbia, S.C. |
| Dec. 14 | BELMONT | Williams Arena |
| Dec. 22 | KENT STATE | Williams Arena |
