ST. LOUIS, MO. – The wait is finally over as the Missouri Valley Conference released their 2020-2021 season schedule Tuesday afternoon.
This comes days after the NCAA Division I Council approved for men’s and women’s basketball contests to start in late November.
Redbird women’s basketball will open their season on New Year’s Eve against the UNI Panthers at Redbird Arena. Then, the Redbirds will take on Drake at home before going on the road against Missouri State and Southern Illinois. They will end their conference season on Mar. 6 on the road against UNI.
“It’s great to finally have our conference schedule for this upcoming season – dates we can circle on our calendar and focus our preparation for,” said Head Coach Kristen Gillespie. “We’re excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the return of college basketball during the 2020-21 season.”
Redbird men’s basketball will open their season on the road Dec. 30 against Evansville. ISU will then open their home season against SIU on Jan. 3. The War on I-74 resumes on Jan. 16 when the Redbirds travel to Peoria. They will end the season at home on Feb. 27 against the Drake Bulldogs at home.
ISU plans to finalize its non-conference schedule in the following weeks. before the season starts on Nov. 25.
In accordance with state and local guidelines, fans are not allowed to be in attendance at Redbird Arena for games this winter. However, things could change if the guidelines do.
The teams will be allowed to begin practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14.