Seawolves welcome national competition at Alaska Airlines Center
The University of Alaska Anchorage women's basketball team will bring high-level nonconference competition to downtown Anchorage this fall, hosting the ASRC/ConocoPhillips Great Alaska Shootout Nov. 21-22 at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The 43rd edition of the tournament will feature NCAA Division I programs Louisville, Chicago State and Seattle University alongside the hometown UAA Seawolves. UAA will face Louisville in the Shootout first round; the Cardinals enter the matchup coming off a 29-8 season, an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and a No. 11 final ranking last season.
"We're excited to officially announce our schedule and begin preparing for what we believe can be a special season," said UAA head coach Matt Thune. "Every game presents an opportunity to grow, and having a matchup versus a nationally respected program like Louisville ... is exactly the type of challenge we embrace."
Under coach Jeff Walz, Louisville has recorded at least 22 wins in 16 straight seasons and reached four Final Fours since 2009, a level of sustained success that presents a measuring stick for UAA as it prepares for the season and for conference play in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).
- Host venue: Alaska Airlines Center, Anchorage
- Shootout dates: Nov. 21-22 (43rd edition)
- Notable opponent: Louisville (29-8 last season, Sweet 16 appearance)
UAA's full season will include 33 games, with the team opening Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Honolulu at the Hoops In Hawaii Tip-Off Classic. The Seawolves will face Colorado Mesa — the reigning NCAA Division II semifinalist — in the opening round of that eight-team bracket and follow with games against St. Mary's (Texas) or Chaminade, and one of Hawaii Pacific, Western Colorado, Winona State or Lubbock Christian on subsequent days.
The home portion of UAA's schedule begins Nov. 6-7 against NAIA opponent College of Idaho. The team returns to the Islands afterward for additional nonconference games against Chaminade, Hawaii Pacific and Hawaii Hilo, then hosts the Shootout before finishing nonconference play with:
| Date range | Opponent(s) |
|---|---|
| Nov. 27-28 | Benedictine Mesa |
| Dec. 14 & 16 | Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) |
| Dec. 20 | Missouri S&T |
Coach Thune, who was an assistant with Louisville's 2013 NCAA runner-up team, framed the schedule as both an opportunity for growth and preparation for the GNAC grind. Hosting a nationally recognized DI program provides UAA a rare chance to test its roster in front of local fans, who the coach called "the best fans in Division II" at the Alaska Airlines Center.
For Anchorage the Shootout remains one of the city's highest-profile winter sports events, drawing visiting teams and fans to the downtown arena. Local organizers and sponsors, including Alaska Railroad Corporation (ASRC) and ConocoPhillips, continue to support the tournament, keeping the Shootout a centerpiece of Anchorage's collegiate sports calendar.
With a challenging early slate and the Shootout spotlight, UAA enters the coming season seeking to develop depth and experience ahead of GNAC play, while giving Anchorage-area fans marquee matchups against nationally respected programs.
