The UT women’s basketball team will host a pair of tournaments as part of the 2012-13 schedule that was released Aug. 29.

“I don’t think it’s a secret that the more we’ve won, and the more fans that have turned out to support our program, it’s been very difficult to schedule home games,” head coach Tricia Cullop said. “Last year, coach [Todd] Mitmesser and I sat down and he came up with the idea of a tournament, trying to draw teams in knowing they would at least get a neutral game in one of the games. We had such a great response to these tournaments that we added a second one. They filled up very quickly.”

Toledo will host St. Bonaventure, Southern and SIU Edwardsville on Dec. 1-2 in the Glass City Tournament and host Evansville, Prairie View A&M and Hampton on Dec. 20-21 in the Toledo Invite.

“We’re excited to be home for four games because of the tournaments, but we’re also excited for the talent we’re bringing in for the tournaments,” Cullop said. “St. Bonaventure went to the Sweet 16 last year. Prairie View A&M and Hampton both were in the postseason. They bring great experience back and will be quality opponents to help prepare us for what’s ahead.”

The Rockets will also play two tournaments on the road in the Reno Tournament Nov. 23-24 and the Georgia State Tournament Dec. 29-30. The four tournaments make four times in the regular season UT will play back-to-back games.

“The easiest way to get into the NCAA Tournament is to win the MAC Tournament,” Cullop said. “In the MAC Tournament you have to play back-to-back days. If this has been something that’s kind of eluded us, then why not practice it four times? We’ll get our players comfortable with what their legs feel like, learning scouting reports that maybe are different styles of play and adjusting quickly on the fly so you can be prepared for that second game. These are great lessons for us to learn heading into MAC Tournament play.”

Toledo plays at Bowling Green on Jan. 13. The team hosts Wayne State for an exhibition game Nov. 4 before opening the season at home Nov. 9 against Arkansas State. Visit UTRockets.com for a full copy of the schedule.

Tags: Georgia State Tournament, Glass City Tournament, Jason Mack, MAC Tournament, Reno Tournament, Rockets basketball, Toledo Invite, Tricia Cullop, women's basketball

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2012 at 10:43 pm and is filed under College sports, Rocket Basketball, Sports.
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