Women's basketball sets 2019 nonconference schedule

Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors watches during a game against Arizona State on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' women's nonconference basketball schedule is set for the 2019-20 season.

The Razorbacks, entering their third season under coach Mike Neighbors, officially open the season in Bud Walton Arena on Nov. 8 against New Orleans. Arkansas will also host McNeese State (Nov. 11), Oral Roberts (Nov. 14), Stony Brook (Nov. 17) and Belmont (Nov. 20) prior to its first true road game at California on Nov. 24.

Arkansas will play two games in the Bahamas Hoopfest as well, taking on Fordham on Nov. 29 and Wisconsin the following day. The trip is the program's first outside of the United States since 2015-16 when it played in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“We’ll be playing two good teams - one NCAA Tournament team and one that’s a Power 5 down there,” Neighbors said Tuesday during an event in Fort Smith. “We always try to take a tournament outside the continuous United States, if we can, during the non-years that we play overseas during the offseason."

The final five out-of-conference games in December will be played in state. Arkansas is scheduled to host Kansas State in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Dec. 7, host Tulsa on Dec. 11, Northwestern State on Dec. 21 and Tennessee-Martin on Dec. 29.

The Razorbacks will also play Arkansas-Little Rock on Dec. 21 in Verizon Arena in North Little Rock in the second meeting between the programs and first since Arkansas defeated the Trojans 74-54 on Dec. 9, 1977, in Little Rock.

“Seeing Bud Walton Arena come alive last March for the WNIT run made it a high priority to ensure our amazing fans have an opportunity to keep the momentum building with a quality home schedule this season,” Neighbors said in a release. “Knowing the challenges the SEC presents at the turn of the year, it’s always vital to have your team prepared for a variety of styles of play. Lastly, you have to consider what is good for the entire league to maximize potential for NCAA at-large bids come Selection Monday.

"The five NCAA Tournament teams we will face this early will put us in position to again be considered for play beyond the SEC Tournament.”

Arkansas' exhibition schedule includes home games against Pittsburg State on Oct. 24 and Oklahoma City University on Oct. 30.

Arkansas women's basketball 2019-20 nonconference schedule

Thursday, Oct. 24 – vs. Pittsburg State (Exhibition)

Wednesday, Oct. 30 – vs. Oklahoma City University (Exhibition)

Friday, Nov. 8 - vs. New Orleans (Season opener)

Monday, Nov. 11 – vs. McNeese State

Thursday, Nov. 14 – vs. Oral Roberts

Sunday, Nov. 17 – vs. Stony Brook

Wednesday, Nov. 20 – vs. Belmont

Sunday, Nov. 24 – at California

Friday, Nov. 29 – vs. Fordham (Bahamas Hoopfest)

Saturday, Nov. 30 – vs. Wisconsin (Bahamas Hoopfest)

Saturday, Dec. 7 – vs. Kansas State (Big 12/SEC Challenge)

Wednesday, Dec. 11 – vs. Tulsa

Sunday, Dec. 15 – vs. Northwestern State

Saturday, Dec. 21 - vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (Verizon Arena)

Sunday, Dec. 29 – vs. UT-Martin