If you haven't been following, the current school year marks the second year of RSU's transition to NCAA Division 2 athletics. The Hillcats will be able to compete for regular season titles in the Heartland Conference but are still not available for postseason play (conference tournaments, NCAA tournaments). With that said, the RSU men's team has been picked to finish 5th in the conference while the women's squad has been tabbed to finish 9th. There are 11 men's teams competing in the Heartland and 10 on the women's side. Arkansas-Fort Smith is the men's favorite to win the league, with Lubbock Christian projected to take the women's title.
There are several new faces on both teams, including one familiar face in a new spot with Bobby Cope leading the charges as the new women's head coach. The jumping begins with a women's exhibition game later this week on Saturday at the University of Tulsa. On November 8th, the men play their lone exhibition at ORU in Tulsa. The regular season begins for the women at home November 15th against East Central University of Ada. The men start the regular season on the road with a two-game classic at D2 power Metro State in Denver. The 'Cats face Metro on November 14th, and then play UC-Colorado Springs the next day. The always much-anticipated Hillcat Homecoming features both teams against Arlington Baptist on November 22nd. The women's non-conference slate features games against Northwest Missouri State, Southern Arkansas, Texas A&M-Commerce, Southern Nazarene and Northeastern State. In addition to the trip to Denver, the men will tangle with East Central, Northwestern Oklahoma State, and Cameron in the non-conference. The men's home opener is November 20th against Hillsdale Free Will Baptist.
For more information on season tickets, schedules, or team rosters, visit www.rsuhillcats.com. Now, let's JUMP!
