The ISU women’s basketball team released its 2005-06 schedule Wednesday, with six games slated to be televised.

The Cyclones, who finished No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today poll at the conclusion of last season, will take part in the Junkanoo Jam in late November, along with North Carolina State, North Florida and Rutgers, who finished the season No. 7 in the poll.

Highlighting the nonconference schedule is a trip to Minneapolis for an evening bout against No. 11 Minnesota.

“It’s probably one of the more ambitious schedules we’ve had,” said coach Bill Fennelly.

“I’m very excited about the schedule.”

In early December, Iowa State travels to Drake, the first of three games against in-state rivals. Later in the month the Cyclones host Iowa and Northern Iowa. The game against Northern Iowa is part of the Mediacom Cyclone Classic doubleheader in Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena.

In all, Iowa State hosts 14 games at Hilton Coliseum, where it went undefeated last season, and will have a showdown with the defending NCAA champions Baylor on Jan. 25.

“It’s an exciting schedule, especially for the people coming to Hilton to watch,” Fennelly said.

The Cyclones are dealing with the losses of seniors Mary Fox, Lisa Kriener, Anne O’Neil, Tracy Paustian and Katie Robinette, but return some players with game experience in juniors Megan Ronhovde and Lindsey Medders and senior Brittany Wilkins. Iowa State is still ultimately faced with numerous question marks this season.

“I think that without question, it’s a challenge. We have a lot of new faces,” Fennelly said. “On one hand, the new faces have to grow quickly. … People who were role players last year have to improve their game as well.

“We’re going to have a lot of people get an opportunity early to see if they can handle this level.”

Fennelly said despite the inexperience on the team, the new members should mature quickly, and they’re in a perfect position to do it. He said the growing pains felt as a team will only benefit it in the future.

“It’s a team that will not just learn this year, but will build for the future,” he said. “If you want to be a good player, you have to play against other good players.”

Iowa State opens season play Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. against Concordia. Its first regular season games come at the Junkanoo Jam in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.

2005-06 ISU women’s basketball schedule

 

November

6 *CONCORDIA (Minn.) 2 p.m.

13 *GRAND VIEW COLLEGE 2 p.m.

20 IUPUI 1 p.m.

25 #N.C. State 5 p.m.

26 #Consolation/Championship game

 

December

4 at Drake 2 p.m.

8 IOWA 7 p.m.

10 AKRON 2 p.m.

17 %vs. Northern Iowa 4 p.m.

19 CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE 7 p.m.

22 at Minnesota 7 p.m.

29 $NICHOLLS STATE 8 p.m.

30 $Consolation/Championship game

 

January

4 OKLAHOMA 7 p.m.

7 at Oklahoma State 2 p.m.

11 at Texas 7 p.m.

14 NEBRASKA 7 p.m.

21 at Colorado 3 p.m.

25 BAYLOR 7 p.m.

29 KANSAS STATE 2 p.m.

 

February

1 at Nebraska 7 p.m.

4 at Kansas 1 p.m.

8 MISSOURI 7 p.m.

11 at Kansas State 2 p.m.

14 TEXAS TECH 7 p.m.

18 KANSAS 1 p.m.

22 at Missouri 7 p.m.

26 at Texas A&M 2 p.m.

 

March

2 COLORADO 7 p.m.

7-11 Big 12 Tournament in Dallas

 

All home games capitalized

* Exhibition game

# Junkanoo Jam, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

%Mediacom Cyclone Captial Classic, Des Moines, Iowa

$Cyclone Classic, Ames, Iowa