When NCAA officials released the women’s basketball television schedule Sept. 13, head coach Joanne P. McCallie saw something she liked.
The second year head coach’s team will play in at least three nationally televised games.
“It’s a great schedule all the way around,” McCallie said.
CBS will air the Spartans’ game against Georgia on Jan. 5 in East Lansing. National coverage aside, the Lady Dogs present a tough challenge coming off a 27-6 season.
“I think it will give us a lot of exposure for the rest of the season,” senior forward Abby Salscheider said.
“If we can perform well and show people what we can do, we are going to bring a lot of fans to the games for the Big Ten season.”
Northwestern will visit East Lansing on Jan. 27 for MSU’s first of two Big-Ten matchups on Fox Sports Chicago. The Spartans will make broadcast waves again when they travel to Bloomington, Ind. to play the Hoosiers on Feb. 3.
Many players said the TV time isn’t something they take lightly.
Junior forward Maria Recker said she sees the coverage as an advancement in women’s collegiate athletics.
“Women’s basketball has come alive,” she said.
“It’s great to see there are more televised women’s college sports.”
The team kicks off its season hosting the Spartan Chevrolet Classic Nov. 16-17. Liberty, UCLA and Buffalo are scheduled to play in the tournament.
The team has also been invited to play at the Florida International Tournament in Miami on Nov. 23-24. Wisconsin-Green Bay, Marquette and an up-and-coming Providence team will provide a challenge for the Spartans, McCallie said.
But as far as conference play, McCallie said the Big Ten shouldn’t be as much of a challenge as it was last year.
“The Big Ten is a little more wide open,” she said.
MSU will only have to face 2000 Big Ten Champion Purdue once this season. The Boilermakers are coming off an impressive performance in the 2001 NCAA Women’s Tournament, losing in the championship game to Notre Dame, 68-66.
“There are no more big dogs this year,” Salscheider said. “Purdue and Penn State are going to be up there, but the rest is wide open.”
Fox Sports Chicago and ESPN will also team-up to cover the 2002 Big Ten Women’s Tournament, giving the Spartans more chances for prime-time glory.
But MSU will have to make major changes if it wants to advance to the finals. The Spartans look to rebound after a dismal 10-18 campaign last season.
Despite losing five seniors, McCallie and the rest of the team remain excited about the young talent the team will display this season.
“We have four freshmen and a junior college transfer entering the program,” she said.
