NORMAL - There won't be any easing into the Missouri Valley Conference schedule for the Illinois State women's basketball team.

ISU will open Valley play on the road Jan. 3 at Evansville before visiting defending champion Southern Illinois on Jan. 5 as the Redbirds released their league schedule Thursday. The MVC home opener will be on Jan. 10 against Northern Iowa.

Seven of the Redbirds' final 11 league games will be at home, including a 2:05 p.m. Sunday matinee against archrival Bradley on Feb. 10. ISU will finish the regular season with home games against Southern Illinois (March 6) and Evansville (March 8).

ISU's road games against Missouri State (Jan. 25) and Indiana State (Feb. 15) will be televised on Fox Sports Midwest. The Redbirds finished second in the Valley last season.

The MVC Tournament will be March 13-16 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., marking the first time the event will be held at a neutral site.

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Illinois State schedule

Nov. 3 - Northwest Missouri State (exhibition), 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 6 - Upper Iowa (exhibition), 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 11 - At Eastern Illinois, 3:05 p.m.

Nov. 15 - Wisconsin-Green Bay, 7:05 p.m.

Nov. 17 - Tennessee-Martin in USF Shootout at Tampa, Fla., TBA

Nov. 18 - South Florida in USF Shootout at Tampa, Fla., 2 p.m.

Nov. 25 - DePaul, 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 29 - Loyola, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 2 - At Eastern Michigan, 2:05 p.m.

Dec. 4 - At Ball State, 6:05 p.m.

Dec. 16 - At Miami (Ohio), 2:05 p.m.

Dec. 19 - Western Illinois, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 31 - Northern Illinois, 2:05 p.m.

Jan. 3 - At Evansville^, 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 5 - At Southern Illinois^, 2:05 p.m.

Jan. 10 - Northern Iowa^, 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 13 - At Bradley^, 2:05 p.m.

Jan. 19 - Indiana State^, 4:05 p.m.

Jan. 25 - At Missouri State^, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 - At Wichita State^, 2:05 p.m.

Jan. 31 - Drake^, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 2 - Creighton^, 4:05 p.m.

Feb. 7 - At Northern Iowa^, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 10 - Bradley^, 2:05 p.m.

Feb. 15 - At Indiana State^, 7:35 p.m.

Feb. 21 - Wichita State^, 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 24 - Missouri State^, 2:05 p.m.

Feb. 29 - At Creighton^, 7:05 p.m.

March 2 - At Drake^, 2:05 p.m.

March 6 - Southern Illinois^, 7:05 p.m.

March 8 - Evansville^, 4:05 p.m.

March 13-16 - Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at St. Charles, Mo.

^ - Missouri Valley Conference games