NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team has released the 2022–23 nonconference schedule, head coach Shea Ralph announced Monday.
The slate features eight games at Memorial Gymnasium, four road games and a pair of neutral-site contests at the 2022 Cancun Challenge.
“We are very excited about the nonconference slate that we have put together for the 2022-23 season, and we know it will help prepare us for the challenges that await us in the SEC,” said Ralph.
Vandy will commence the season with an away game against Western Kentucky on Nov. 7 followed by the home opener three days later at 7 p.m. versus Samford. The Commodores take a trip to New York to face the Lions of Columbia on Nov. 13 before a three-game homestand: Tarleton State (Nov. 15), Austin Peay (Nov. 17) and Saint Joseph’s (Nov. 20) are set to face Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
The Commodores will compete in the 2022 Cancun Challenge in Mexico over Thanksgiving, playing North Carolina State and Northern Iowa. The first matchup for Vandy is NC State at 3 p.m. on Nov. 24, followed by Northern Iowa at 5:30 p.m on Nov. 25.
Upon their return, the Commodores have a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Spartans of USC Upstate at home Nov. 29.
December begins with back-to-back games against in-state foes East Tennessee State and UT Martin. Vanderbilt will face the Buccaneers at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 preceding a home game against the Skyhawks at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. A four-day break will prepare the Commodores for a trip to Louisiana Tech to take on the Lady Techsters.
Vanderbilt returns to Memorial Gymnasium for a pair of home games to conclude the nonconference slate before the holiday break in December. The Commodores host neighboring Lipscomb on Dec. 18 and close the nonconference portion of the schedule on Dec. 21 against Alabama A&M.
“The combination of historically successful programs and local opponents make our schedule really exciting,” stated Ralph. “We will see lots of different styles of play and will get to try some new things ourselves against quality competition. We are always eager to travel to exciting places for great basketball. Playing in New York City and Cancun will be very special for our players, and we are grateful for the opportunity to represent Vanderbilt and showcase our university across the country and beyond.”
Vandy holds an overall combined record of 86-23 against the 14 nonconference opponents, with perfect winning records against Alabama A&M, Columbia, Lipscomb, Samford and USC Upstate.
This season holds Vanderbilt’s first look at Tarleton State. The Commodores have competed against Western Athletic Conference programs of Sam Houston State (1-0) and New Mexico State (2-0). It will also have the first meeting between Vanderbilt and Northern Iowa. However, the Commodores have faced several Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball teams. Vandy boasts a 10-1 combined record against Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana State and Southern Illinois.
