September 18, 2007

Chicago, Ill. – Chicago State University head coach Angela Jackson released the 2007-08 women’s basketball schedule on Thursday afternoon, a slate that includes four opponents who participated in last year’s NCAA Tournament and one opponent that was part of the post season NIT.

“I am very excited about the 2007-08 schedule, we play five university’s from Illinois, I feel we didn’t have to go far to find great competition,” Chicago State head coach Angela Jackson said.

CSU opens the season with consecutive home games in the new Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center against Horizon Conference member the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Nov. 9 and Mid-American Conference member Northern Illinois on Nov. 12.

The Cougars go on the road to take on Central Michigan on Nov. 17 before returning to the Chicago area to play at cross town opponent Loyola on Nov. 20. Chicago State closes out the month of November as they head south for a matchup against SWAC member Grambling State on November 27.

The month of December tips off with a Dec. 1 matchup against Lamar University in the Jones Convocation Center. Chicago State will meet Big-Ten Conference member the University of Illinois in the United Center home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls on Dec. 8.

“Playing the University of Illinois at the United Center will be a great experience for our program,” said Jackson.

CSU will travel to Chicago’s north-side to take on Big East Conference foe DePaul on December 12. Before returning to the Jones Convocation Center to take on Bradley on Dec. 20 and Western Michigan on Dec. 22, the Cougars will travel to Southern Illinois on Dec. 17. Chicago State closes out the 2007 portion of the schedule at the 10th Annual Georgia Tech Holiday Classic as they will meet up with Georgia Tech in the first round of competition on Dec. 29; before squaring off against either Harvard or Kennesaw State on the final day of action.

Chicago State will kick-off the 2008 year at home against Saint Louis on Jan. 2. CSU heads to Ohio to take on Bowling Green State on Jan. 5. The Cougars return to Chicago for a three-pack of games against Robert Morris on Jan 12, Independent foe Texas Pan-American on Jan. 19, and Lewis University on Jan. 23. CSU closes out the month of January on the road with games against fellow Independents, NJIT on Jan. 26 and Utah Valley on Jan. 28.

The Cougars will make a two-game trip to Texas, taking on Independents Texas Pan-American on Feb. 2, and Longwood on Feb. 3, both games will be played at Texas Pan-American.

CSU closes out the regular season at home with four consecutive games in the Jones Convocation Center. Chicago State welcomes Calumet College of St. Joseph on Feb. 6, a return game against NJIT on Feb. 9, Saint Xavier on Feb. 16, and Utah Valley on Feb. 23.

The season concludes with the Division I Independent Tournament which runs from March 6-8, on the campus of the University of Texas Pan-American.

“Overall, I feel this is the most challenging schedule that we will have faced since my arrival here at Chicago State. We are very excited to have the opportunity to compete against the high caliber opponents on this year’s schedule,” said Jackson.

Chicago State is coming off a 2006-07 campaign in which they were 9-20, they return only one senior and welcome four newcomers.