On Wednesday, Oregon women’s basketball released the 2018-19 conference and non-conference schedules.
The Ducks will open nonconference play in Hebard’s hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska, against Alaska Fairbanks on Nov. 6 at 8:00 p.m., and will premier at home in Matthew Knight Arena on Nov. 10, hosting Syracuse at 2:00 p.m.
Nonconference play also includes a matchup against NCAA runner up Mississippi State at home on Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m. The Mississippi State Bulldogs fell to Notre Dame 61-58 in the final. Prior, in the quarterfinals, Notre Dame took out the Ducks 84-74. Last season, the Ducks lost to the Bulldogs in preseason play, 90-79.
Oregon will appear in the Saint Mary’s Tournament where they will play UC Riverside on Nov. 23 and Saint Mary’s (California) the following day.
The current Pac-12 reigning champs Oregon will debut in Pac-12 conference play at home on Jan. 4 at 6:00 p.m. against Washington, who lost in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament to California 71-68. The Ducks will host Washington State two days later at 3:00 p.m.
The Ducks return with four starters, including national point guard of the year junior Sabrina Ionescu and national power forward of the year junior Ruthy Hebard.
Oregon will also introduce redshirt sophomore and Notre-Dame transfer Erin Boley, who sat out last season after transferring, to the starting line, and will return senior guard Maite Cazorla and sophomore forward Satou Sabally.
Follow Sierra Webster on Twitter @WebsterSierraE.