Georgia Tech, ACC Announce Yellow Jackets' 2012-13 Schedule

THE FLATS –Nine television games and 15 home games highlight Georgia Tech’s 2012-13 women’s basketball schedule, which was released by the Atlantic Coast Conference Thursday.

Coming off the best season in school history and a Sweet 16 appearance, the Yellow Jackets will open the season and the new McCamish Pavilion against Tennessee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. The rest of the previously announced non-conference schedule includes dates with five power conferences foes: Marquette (BIG EAST) on Nov. 18 in Atlanta, Syracuse (BIG EAST) on Nov. 23 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Purdue (Big Ten) on Nov. 28 in West Lafayette, Ind., Georgia (SEC) on Dec. 2 in Atlanta and Washington (Pac-12) on Dec. 21 in Atlanta.

With the expansion of the ACC schedule to 18 league games, the Yellow Jackets will face a big test early on as they head to defending regular-season champion Duke for a 7 p.m. tilt on Dec. 6.

“We are very excited about our ACC schedule and having nine televised games,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “The ACC is very strong this year from top to bottom and it is going to be a very competitive season.

“To open the conference season at Duke presents a tough challenge for a young team, but we are looking forward to the opportunity,” Joseph added.

Tech’s next conference game won’t be until after the start of the year when the Florida State Seminoles visit McCamish Pavilion Jan. 3. The last Noles trip to Atlanta came on Feb. 15, 2010. Three days later, Tech will make the short trek to Littlejohn Coliseum for a matinee matchup with the Clemson Tigers at 2 p.m. Jan. 6. The Yellow Jackets have won six straight against CU and six consecutive at Clemson.

“The ACC expansion to an 18 game schedule is going to make a tough conference even more challenging,” Joseph said. “We are anxious to open up the home portion of our ACC schedule in the new McCamish Pavilion with Florida State January 3.”

The Yellow Jackets return home to host the Virginia Cavaliers in a 7 p.m. contest Jan. 10 before going on the road for two straight games. First up will be a trip to Chapel Hill, N.C., for an ESPN3 televised matchup with the North Carolina Tar Heels at 2 p.m. on Jan. 13. Tech has won five straight over UNC and four straight games at Carmichael Arena – two against the Tar Heels and two in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

Georgia Tech will make its second trip of the year to South Florida for a date with the Miami Hurricanes Jan. 17. The Jackets last visited Miami Jan. 30, 2011, and suffered a heartbreaking 84-74 overtime loss. Coach Joseph’s squad will return to McCamish Pavilion for an ESPN2 nationally-televised contest with the Maryland Terrapins at 3 p.m. Jan. 20. Last year’s three games between the two teams were decided by a total of 11 points.

Tech’s first repeat opponent of the year will come on a Jan. 25 trip to Tallahassee, Fla., and a 7 p.m. game against Florida State on the ACC Digital Network.

The Yellow Jackets will return to Atlanta for four of their next five games, beginning with a 2 p.m. contest with NC State Jan. 27 on ESPN3 before hosting Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Tech will travel to Charlottesville, Va., for the first time since Jan. 24, 2010, for a 1 p.m. game against UVa on Feb. 3 to be broadcast on the ACC Regional Sports Network.

A return to Atlanta comes with a visit from the Virginia Tech Hokies at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 on the ACC RSN. It will be the two Techs only meeting of the year and Virginia Tech’s first trip to Atlanta since Jan. 27, 2011. The Tar Heels come to McCamish Pavilion for an 11:30 a.m. game Feb. 10 to be telecast on ESPNU. Tech rallied from down seven with 1:03 to play to defeat UNC the last time Carolina came to Atlanta on Jan. 6, 2011.

Tech will next travel to the Old North State for a pair of games with NC State and Wake Forest. The Yellow Jackets and Wolfpack will square off at Reynolds Coliseum in a 2:30 game Feb. 17 as part of ESPN2’s Play 4Kay national TV package. Four days later the Jackets will take on the Demon Deacons in a 6:30 contest Feb. 21 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Yellow Jackets will host the Miami Hurricanes at 1 p.m. Feb. 24 on the ACC’s Regional Sports Network and will host their final regular-season game against the Clemson Tigers Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Tech’s regular-season finale will take place at noon March 3 in Chestnut Hill, Mass., as the Yellow Jackets challenge the Boston College Eagles at Conte Forum.

The 2013 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held March 7-10 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. All 11 games of the tournament will again be televised.

Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women’s basketball on Twitter, @GTWBB, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensBasketball, for an inside look at the program.

2012-13 Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball Schedule