The transition to NCAA Division 2 tips off for the RSU women with an exhibition game Friday, November 1st at the University of Tulsa. The 'Cats have played TU at the Reynolds Center before, including last season. It should provide a real tune-up for 2nd year head coach Roxanne Long as she welcomes back just five players from a national tournament team. The season and home opener is on Hillcat Homecoming Saturday, November 9th against our friends from Ecclesia College out of Springdale, Arkansas. The non-conference schedule features new foes in Southern Arkansas and East Central, and old familiar faces from Southern Nazarene and Mid-America Christian. It won't take long to jump into the Heartland Conference slate, as the women open on the road in Abilene, Texas against McMurry November 21st, followed by another league game two days later in Austin against St. Edward's. The first home conference date is Monday, December 2nd against Newman University of Wichita. Make note, weeknight conference doubleheaders will tip at 5:30 for the women and 7:30 for the men.
As for the RSU men, it all begins anew on Wednesday, November 6th with an exhibition contest against Division 1 ORU at the Mabee Center in Tulsa. Whether it's calling a high school state tournament or a college game, the Mabee Center is always a fun venue to visit. The men's regular season also starts with Hillcat Homecoming. Justin Barkley begins his fourth season at the helm November 9th against Southwestern Christian, a new member of the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Hillcats hit the road Monday, November 11th to tangle with old SAC rival Northwestern Oklahoma State up in Alva. The Rangers are now Division 2 members in the Great American Conference. The 'Cats then head to Fort Smith, Arkansas for two games against Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist November 15th and 16th. RSU also squares off against Mid-America Christian and Ecclesia on back-to-back home nights right before the Thanksgiving holiday. East Central is also on the non-league schedule Saturday, December 14th at the Expo in Claremore. The men only return three players who saw any significant playing time last season. For the full men's and women's schedules or to purchase season tickets, head to www.rsuhillcats.com.
While RSU can't compete for conference titles at this time, it's worth noting that St. Mary's of San Antonio has been picked to win the Heartland on the women's side. Arkansas-Fort Smith has been tabbed to claim the men's regular season crown. It's nice to see a mix of old and new on the schedule. That'll help all of us in this transition phase as the Hillcats claw their way to being full-fledged members of NCAA Division 2. For more information on the Heartland Conference, visit the league website at www.heartlandsports.org. I'll leave you with an interview featuring men's coach Justin Barkley. He discusses the new athletic director and what the immediate future holds for Hillcat basketball.
