Coach Kelly Packard got what she wanted.
Hoping to get her team tournament experience before the conference season, the first-year coach got her wish as the Ball State University women's basketball team announced Tuesday it will play in two non-conference tournaments during the 2008-09 season.
Ball State will open its season in the Preseason WNIT on Nov. 14, against Indiana University and will play in the Alabama Tournament on Dec. 29.
Packard said she is excited to start the season with the Preseason WNIT because of the benefits it can give the players.
"That's a start that is extra special anytime you can get tournament play in November and get your players into those pressure situations at the start of the season," Packard said.
This is the second time in school history the Cardinals will play in the Preseason WNIT. This game is also more special to the players, Packard said, because after playing in the tournament a school is not eligible to be in the Preseason WNIT for another four years.
"That's a career high to be able to play in it," she said.
Ball State finished last season 15-15 and was eliminated in its first game of the Mid-American Conference tournament.
Packard, who was named Ball State's head coach in May, said there were not any surprises when she created her first Ball State schedule. She also said the team's prior contract agreements were signed when Tracy Roller was the head coach, such as the games against Evansville University, Temple University and the University of Louisville, did not affect her ability to create the non-conference schedule.
Packard said she wants to schedule in non-conference tournaments every season. She also said this is the type of schedule she wants the Cardinals to have each year with tournament games and playing schools throughout the Midwest.
"I'm not going to change a whole lot. I want those regional matches," Packard said. "We can play teams that are nearby and that always of interest competitively and is of interest to the fans."
The schedule
Nov. 14 at IndianaNov. 15-23 WNITNov. 25 at Illinois StateDec. 5 vs. EvansvilleDec. 7 at LouisvilleDec. 10 vs. Wright StateDec. 13 vs. Indiana St.Dec. 20 at Western KentuckyDec. 22 vs. TempleDec. 29-30 at Alabama Tourney Jan. 4 at St. LouisJan. 7 vs. Eastern MichiganJan. 10 at Western MichiganJan. 14 vs. Central MichiganJan. 17 vs. Toledo Jan. 21 at Northern IllinoisJan. 24 at AkronJan. 27 vs. North DakotaJan. 31 vs. MiamiFeb. 3 at Bowling GreenFeb. 8 at Buffalo Feb. 11 vs. Kent StateFeb. 14 vs. Ohio Feb. 22 at Central MichiganFeb. 24 at Eastern MichiganFeb. 28 vs. Western MichiganMar. 4 vs. Northern Illinois Mar. 7 at Toledo
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