CHICAGO – Once again, coach Doug Bruno has loaded up his nonconference schedule with some of the toughest women’s basketball teams in the country.
Of the first 11 games the Blue Demons will play in a much more normal 2021-22 season, seven will be against teams from Power Five conferences.
Of those seven, five advanced to the NCAA tournament.
DePaul will be tested three times by opponents from the vaunted SEC, along with two adversaries from the Big Ten and one each against the ACC and the Pac-12.
That last one is a doozy—none other than NCAA runner-up Arizona (21-6) who lost to fellow Pac-12 power Stanford by a single point in last April’s 54-53 title game. In the tournament, the Wildcats posted impressive victories over Texas A&M, Indiana and Connecticut.
Why does this iconic coach of 35 years subject his players to such a veritable gauntlet? Well, there’s a method to his madness.
By perennially going all-out in the nonconference season, Bruno’s teams are traditionally more than ready for a highly successful BIG EAST run.
“One of the best ways to prepare your team is to challenge them with a rigorous nonconference schedule,” Bruno said. “This year’s version is extremely difficult with games against five teams that played in the NCAA tournament including the runner-up, Arizona.
“Seven of our 11 are against teams from a Power Five conference with Texas A&M, Northwestern, Rutgers, Arizona, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Notre Dame. Our non-Power Five opponents also bring a high degree of difficulty led by Loyola who always plays us tough.
“The renewal of our long-standing rivalry with Northern Illinois should once again become a treat for the fans. Texas Southern brings a basketball icon, coach Cynthia Cooper, to the South Loop and Nicholls State will be our annual Field Trip Game for several thousand enthusiastic schoolchildren.”
After a Nov. 4 exhibition game with Lewis at Wintrust Arena, DePaul opens the regular season against Texas Southern on Nov. 9 at home. The Blue Demons are back in the South Loop Nov. 12 to face North Side rival Loyola.
All home games will be played at Wintrust Arena in the South Loop.
Nov. 15 will find Bruno’s team in College Station, Texas matching firepower with a Texas A&M team that was 25-3 last season and won the SEC regular-season title with a 13-1 record. At their best, the Aggies enjoyed a stretch of winning 23 of 24 games before ultimately advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.
That kicks off a run of four consecutive NCAA tournament opponents.
Northwestern (16-9, 11-7) visits Wintrust Arena on Nov. 21 after playing into the NCAA Second Round last season.
Fellow Big Ten power Rutgers (14-5, 10-3) is the first test for DePaul at the Paradise Jam tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25.
Twenty-four hours later, Bruno & Co. lock up with Arizona. The Paradise Jam finale has DePaul taking on Vanderbilt of the SEC.
The Blue Demons head to Bluegrass Country for a Dec. 9 showdown against Kentucky in historic Rupp Arena, the home to some legendary coaches, players and unforgettable games. The Wildcats were 18-9, 9-6 in the SEC last season and advanced to the NCAA Second Round.
Bruno & Co. are back home on Dec. 14 against Nicholls State before concluding their nonconference schedule on Dec. 22 with a talented Notre Dame program at Wintrust Arena.
2021-22 Season Ticket Information
- Fans and supporters interested in joining as new season ticket holders for the return of DePaul Basketball can now place $25-per seat season ticket deposits for the 2021-22 men’s and women’s basketball seasons.
- New deposits will act as commitment to priority seat selection taking place later this summer and will be applied to the cost of full season ticket packages due in the fall. By placing a deposit early, fans will gain access to the best seat locations and the ability to work with a personal ticket representative to choose their seats prior to the public on-sale date. Ticket package pricing and priority seat selection details will be announced at a later date and communicated from the DePaul Ticket Office.
- Renewing season ticket holders from 2019-20 or account holders that elected to carry-over 2020 summer payments do NOT need to place a deposit at this time. Existing season ticket holders will be contacted by the DePaul Ticket Office when the renewal period is announced.
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