2026‑27 Non‑Conference Schedule Unveiled
South Dakota Women's Basketball, under head coach Carrie Eighmey, has released its non‑conference slate for the 2026‑27 season, a 16‑game lineup that sets the stage for a full 30‑game campaign. The announcement was made public on August 27, 2026, and highlights a blend of familiar rivals and new challenges.
Nine of those contests will be played on the home floor of the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, giving the Coyotes a comfortable base as they open the season. The schedule was constructed to balance competitive matchups with opportunities for growth, according to the athletic department.
The season kicks off on November 2 with a home game against York, a team from Nebraska that the Coyotes defeated in the previous meeting. That opening night will be followed by a home‑and‑away series against Creighton, Chicago State and Valparaiso, each of which appears on the slate multiple times.
Five opponents from the previous season — York, UTRGV, Idaho State, Valparaiso and Bradley — return, and South Dakota finished 4‑1 against them last year. In contrast, the schedule introduces five new foes, including Nebraska Wesleyan, North Florida, Abilene Christian, Waldorf and Lindenwood, each of which will be faced for the first time.
December brings a mix of home and away games, starting with a matchup against Waldorf on December 1 and a road trip to Lindenwood on December 4. Mid‑month the Coyotes will host Bradley and Drake, both Missouri Valley Conference rivals, before embarking on a road swing that includes games at the Sanford Pentagon against Creighton on November 11 and a later visit to Boise State in late December.
The non‑conference portion wraps up with a home game against Bellevue on December 22, then a road trip to Montana on December 19 and a final test at Boise State on December 31. Conference play is slated to begin on January 7 against Oral Roberts, marking the transition to the regular conference schedule.
Overall, the 2026‑27 non‑conference schedule offers a balanced mix of home‑court advantage, competitive challenges, and opportunities for the team to test new strategies before entering the rigors of conference play.