MOSCOW, Idaho—Idaho women's basketball head coach Jon Newlee is not afraid of a challenge when it comes to putting together a schedule. This season is no exception. Newlee and the Vandals will face four NCAA Tournament teams from 2017, including a marquee home game against the University of Washington the team announced on Friday.
 
"I always schedule really tough," Newlee explained. "I think it is really great for our players to go to different environments. I like to play in the top leagues around the country if possible."
 
The 10-game non-conference slate begins on the road with a visit to Colorado State the 2017 Mountain West Conference regular season champions on Nov. 10. It will be the first meeting on the hardwood between the two schools since Dec. 1, 2009, in Moscow.
 
Things pick up another notch for game two, with Idaho set to travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on The Ohio State University on Nov. 15. The Buckeyes advanced to the Sweet Sixteen last season, finishing 28-6 on the year. The game will be the first meeting between the two schools.
 
Idaho remains on the road for its next three games. The Vandals will visit Abilene Christian (Nov. 18) and then head back west for the Warner Center Marriott Thanksgiving Basketball Classic hosted by Cal State Northridge. The Vandals open the tournament on Nov. 24 against CSUN. They will be either Texas Christian or Arizona the following day.
 
The Silver and Gold will open the home-season with a four game stand, starting with Washington on Dec. 1. It will be the Huskies first trip to Moscow since 2012. It will be the ninth all-time meeting, dating back to the start of the series in 1977. The Huskies fell in the Sweet Sixteen last season to Mississippi State. 
 
"Washington coming in to play us at home is going to fantastic," Newlee exclaimed. "This is a game we have been looking forward to."
 
Cal State Fullerton follows UW on Dec. 4. Idaho edged out the Titans last season, 88-86, in Fullerton. Geraldine McCorkell scored 30 points in the early-season win for Idaho. Wyoming comes to town on Dec. 9, making it the eight meeting with Cowgirls since 2009. Idaho won, 74-71, last season in Laramie to push the current win streak to three. Seattle U closes the homestand (Dec. 15).
 
The Vandals will visit Arizona State on Dec. 18 to close out the non-conference road-schedule. It will be Idaho's first trip to Tempe. The Sun Devils finished 19-12 last season, losing to the eventual national champion, South Carolina, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
"This is probably one of our toughest schedules, maybe the toughest that I have put together for our teams," Newlee continued. "That is saying something. We have played some really tough schedules in the past. This ranks right up there. I think our team is ready for it."
 
Idaho's last game before Big Sky play is a date with Eastern Oregon on Dec. 21 in Boise. The Vandals will play the first part of a doubleheader at CenturyLink Arena with the Idaho men taking the court afterward.
 
Big Sky play opens at home with two games against North Dakota (Dec. 28) and Northern Colorado (Dec. 30). The reaming home schedule features Southern Utah (Jan. 18), Northern Arizona (Jan. 20), Portland State (Feb. 1), Sacramento State (Feb. 3), Eastern Washington (Feb. 9), Idaho State (Feb. 22) and Weber State (Feb. 24).

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