2003-2004 Women's Basketball Schedule

Cape Girardeau, Mo. (September 23, 2003)- B.J. Smith, head women's basketball coach, has released the 2003-2004 schedule featuring games against some of the nation's top programs.

The team will start their campaign this winter in the Women's Pre-Season NIT Tournament as they travel to Salt Lake City to face the University of Utah in the first round on November 14. The field includes 16 of last years' top 25 programs and 7 teams which made NCAA Tournament appearances. The Utes were among the top 25 teams in the nation and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tourney before falling to Duke 65-54.

The schedule doesn't get any easier from there as the team will compete amongst strong competition in the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thanksgiving Classic and the Texas-San Antonio New Year's Classic. Headlining the competition in these two tournaments will be their match-up against K-State. Last season they posted an overall record of 29-5 as they made it to the second round of the NCAA Tourney. They team finished the season ranked 8th in the nation by the Associated Press and 10th by USA Today. Rumor has it that the team is expected to make their second appearance in the AP preseason Top 10 poll.

Southeast has a very demanding and challenging non-conference schedule this season. This will help their program to gain exposure and help them prepare tough conference slate.

"We are looking forward to the chance to play some of the top programs in the country," said head coach B.J. Smith.

"Since I got here, I said my ultimate goal was to make it to the NCAA Tournament and I believe this is a step in the right direction. We have to be prepared for not only the NCAA Tournament, but also our own OVC Tournament and playing team like these, will help us out for that goal."

Southeast will begin their exhibition season on November 6 as they host the UM-St. Louis. Their regular season will begin on November 14 with their trip to take on the Utes in Salt Lake City.