EUGENE, Ore. - For the second straight season, the Oregon women’s basketball team has compiled a challenging schedule as the team begins its quest to return to the NCAA Tournament.

The 2008-09 schedule boasts 10 teams that reached the postseason last season, including eight that were participants at the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Four 2008 NCAA Tournament teams head to Eugene for non-conference action, including Wyoming, Montana, Baylor and Utah. The Ducks will also play Georgia Tech at the Rose Garden on Dec. 13, as part of the 11th annual Pape’ Jam.

“Our 2008-09 schedule is both very competitive and exciting at the same time,” Oregon women's basketball head coach Bev Smith said. “Teams visiting Oregon this year are all high-caliber teams, and we are so excited and proud to bring this type of competition to Mac Court. Having teams visit from the Big XII (Baylor), the Big Sky (Montana), the West Coast (Portland), the Mountain West (Utah and Wyoming), the Big West (Pacific) and the Atlantic Coast (Georgia Tech) conferences, not only provides us with incredible preparation against a mix of leagues, but also allows our fans to watch some very exciting and talented basketball teams.”

The Ducks will open 2008-09 with the same opponent as a season ago, traveling to San Jose State for a return game with the Spartans on Nov. 15. Oregon will then make a quick return to Mac Court to host its home opener at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, welcoming in Pacific from the Big West Conference.

After their home opener, the Ducks will take their first lengthy road trip of the season. Up first on the schedule is BYU on Nov. 21 in Provo, Utah.

Oregon will then head to Brookings, S.D., to try and avenge a homecourt loss to the Jackrabbits from last year. The game at South Dakota State (23-7, 16-2) begins a six-game stretch of opponents that made the postseason last year. The Jackrabbits, who were 14-1 on their home court last season and made their second straight trip to the WNIT, return all four of their double-digit scorers.

“Our road contests are also as competitive and exciting as those at home,” Smith said. “Followed by our opener on the road at San Jose State (WAC), we will travel to play against Marquette (Big East), BYU (Mountain West), and South Dakota State (Summit League). Again the combination of conferences and brand of basketball played by these talented road opponents, will give us optimal preparation for life on the road in the Pac-10.”

The Ducks end the month of November back at home, hosting 2007 WNIT champion, Wyoming. The Cowgirls and Ducks squared off in the 2007 tourney with Wyoming besting Oregon, 64-62, in the third round. Last season, the Cowgirls made their first NCAA Tournament appearance, falling to Pitt in the first round.

Oregon remains in Eugene to host reigning Big Sky champion, Montana, on Dec. 4. The Grizzlies (25-7, 13-3) made their 17th NCAA Tournament appearance last season, and return arguably the conference’s top player in senior guard Mandy Morales (16. ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.0 apg).

The following week, the Ducks will head to the Rose Garden on Saturday, Dec. 13, for the 11th Annual Pape’ Jam. Oregon will try and keep its undefeated record at the Jam alive against Georgia Tech of the ACC. The Yellow Jackets posted a program-best 22 wins last season since entering the ACC (1979-80), while also participating in the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight season.

Possibly the team’s hardest road test of the non-conference schedule follows the Jam, when Oregon travels to Milwaukee, Wis., on Dec. 17. Last year, the Ducks edged Marquette, 57-56, in Eugene, but the Golden Eagles were without senior guard Krystall Ellis. Ellis eventually returned to the lineup for Marquette (21-14, 8-8), leading the team to its sixth consecutive postseason berth and a WNIT championship.

Oregon will return from Marquette with the benefit of playing its final three non-conference games at Mac Court. The Ducks start the homestand with the 2005 NCAA Champion, Baylor Bears, on Dec. 20. The Bears (25-7, 12-4) finished second in the Big XII last year, and fell to Pitt in the NCAA Tournament’s second round.

Sandwiched in between two 2008 NCAA Tournament opponents is Portland on Dec. 22. The Pilots (15-15, 5-9) defeated a young Oregon squad, 78-74, at the Chiles Center last year.

Oregon’s final test before Pac-10 action begins is Sunday, Dec. 28, when the Ducks host current Mountain West Conference champion, Utah (27-5, 16-0). The Utes set a conference and school record with their 16 league victories last year, and made their 15th NCAA Tournament appearance, suffering a first-round loss to Purdue.

The Ducks will start Pac-10 play on the road in Los Angeles with USC (Jan. 2) and UCLA (Jan. 4). The Arizona schools open Pac-10 play at Mac Court with the Wildcats visiting Eugene on Jan. 8, and the Sun Devils following on Jan. 10.

Another important home date is set for Saturday, Feb. 14, when Oregon hosts Washington and supports the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association third-annual Pink Zone, an initiative to raise awareness for breast cancer research.

The Ducks get to end the regular season in the friendly confines of Mac Court, hosting UCLA on March 5 and USC on March 7.

The Pac-10 Tournament has moved to the Galen Center (Los Angeles) for 2009, with action scheduled to run from March 12-15.

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