INDIANAPOLIS – The Horizon League announced the 2020-21 women's basketball conference schedule. Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, teams will play one League opponent twice each week with games taking place on consecutive days at the same location. Schools will have five home weekends and five road weekends and will play 10-of-11 League opponents. Oakland opens the 20-game conference slate on the Blacktop at the O'rena against UIC (Dec. 12-13) and travels to arch-rival Detroit Mercy for the annual Metro Series showdown (Jan. 15-16). All league games will be broadcast live on ESPN3 or ESPN+.
The Golden Grizzlies hit the road at Wright State (Dec. 19-20) and rings in the new year at home against 2019-20 regular season and tournament runner-up Green Bay (Jan. 1-2).
Oakland then travels to Youngstown State (Jan. 8-9) followed by welcoming new League member Purdue Fort Wayne to the O'rena (Jan. 22-23) after the battle with the Titans.
The Golden Grizzlies close out the month of January at Cleveland State (Jan. 29-30) followed by hosting second new League member Robert Morris (Feb. 5-6).
Oakland concludes the road slate at Milwaukee (Feb. 12-13) and closes out the conference season at home against Northern Kentucky (Feb. 19-20) for Senior Day.
The Horizon League Board of Directors is overseeing League-wide safety protocols focused on consistency and clarity for all League competition. As part of these protocols, the Board of Directors determined that due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all League games in the month of December will be played without fans. Team pass lists and complimentary tickets will also be prohibited in December. The Board of Directors will reevaluate these changes at a later date. Fan attendance policies for non-League games will be determined by each institution.
"Though I am disappointed that fans will not be permitted at home games at this time, I understand and support the Horizon League's decision," Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield said. "The health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans are the top priority. This decision is consistent with those priorities and recognizes the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the Horizon League allows fans for January and February games, I look forward to welcoming fans to the O'rena permitted by University, Oakland County, and State of Michigan health and safety requirements. In the meantime, I am confident our fans cheer on the Golden Grizzlies on TV20, ESPN+, and other broadcast stations."
The 2021 Horizon League Men's and Women's Basketball Championship is scheduled to culminate at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis. More information on the championships will be released at a later date.
###
