Anderson, S.C.- Coming off its second straight regular season title, Anderson University women's basketball team has unveiled its 2020-21 schedule.
"Honestly, we are just excited to have a season and we are eager to just play," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "The toughest part right now isn't who or when we are playing but really just staying the course so that we have the season."
The 2019-20 edition of the Trojans closed the season with a 26-5 overall record, a South Atlantic Conference regular season title (19-3), a SAC Tournament runner-up finish and a 14th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The South Atlantic Conference Presidents Council, in September, made the decision to begin intercollegiate competition in men's and women's basketball for the 2020-21 season on Nov. 21.
"These young ladies have worked hard to get to this point and they deserve to be rewarded in the safest possible way that includes having that chance to compete," emphasized Barbaree. "I want to really commend all the leadership teams throughout our conference for putting this together. As a college player right now, you see AAU playing, NAIA playing, High schools playing sports and you just want your shot too. The fact that our Conference leaders and Conference Presidents recognize this and are giving us our chance is a blessing in itself."
The SAC men's and women's basketball teams will play a 20-game conference schedule with the opportunity for teams to play an additional two non-conference opponents, if teams choose to.
With the addition of a 13th member, Limestone University, the league will play a spilt schedule. The Black and Gold will play UVA Wise, Lincoln Memorial, Mars Hill and Coker in a single contest while playing Catawba, Newberry, Carson-Newman, Limestone, Lenoir-Rhyne, Queens, Tusculum and Wingate in a home and away series.
"As far as the schedule lays out, there is no easy way to set it up with limited dates, protocols to follow, and an unbalanced schedule; therefore we have to jump in feet first and get after it the best way that we can, said Barbaree. "Every game counts like a championship game this season. You don't know which games could get postponed or rescheduled, so you have to be ready and try and get better on the fly. A smaller amount of games and the NCAA cutting the National tournament to 48 teams instead of 64 is going change the opportunity to get at large bids."
Regular season for Anderson begins on Nov. 21 at Catawba before hosting Newberry on Nov. 24th. The Trojans welcome the Wolves for a 5:30 pm tip-off in the Abney Athletic Center.
Following the home matchup against the Wolves, the Trojans travel to preseason favorite Carson-Newman before returning home for a two-game homestand. AU will finish out the year with a trip to Queens and then step out of conference to face-off against Emmanuel in Franklin Springs, Ga.
Returning from Christmas break, the Black and Gold travel to Lincoln Memorial before welcoming Carson-Newman and Queens to Annie Tribble Court. The next three contests will be played away from the friendly confines of the Abney Athletic Center with trips to Wingate, Mars Hill and Limestone, respectively. The Trojans will then begin a three game homestand when Tusculum, Coker and UVA Wise roll through the Electric City.
Anderson will finish out the month of February by traveling to Newberry and Lenoir-Rhyne, followed by its final two regular season home games versus Wingate and Catawba with one last road trip to Tusculum in Greeneville, Tenn.
"We will take every game one game at a time and be grateful to be out there playing the game we love," added Barbaree.
The Trojans have won 37 straight regular season home games with the 2020-2021 season featuring 10 contests inside the Abney Athletic Center.
Additionally, each institution will have limited spectator seating in order to comply with state and local health guidelines. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, AU is planning to allow a limited number of spectators at the Abney Center this season. Fans should always check with the host institution before making plans to attend any SAC basketball games in person.
All of the SAC women's basketball games will be streamed live online for free through the SAC Live Digital Network. Links to live video and live stats of all the games, as well as a full schedule of games can be found by visiting the women's basketball page on TheSAC.com.
