Don’t miss these women’s college basketball games

Key games in the 2009-10 women’s college basketball season: NOV. 15:

Baylor-Tennessee

Phenom freshman Brittney Griner will introduce herself to the nation when Baylor visits Tennessee. Baylor drew 6,000 fans for its opening exhibition game, all wanting to see the YouTube sensation throw one down. What better place for a debut than at the most storied program in women’s basketball history. Don’t think Pat Summitt has let the Lady Vols forget for one day how they lost for the first time in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season. DEC. 3:

Ohio State-Duke

The highlight of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Expectations are high at Ohio State after winning the Big Ten last season. The Buckeyes return preseason All-America center Jantel Lavender and star guard Samantha Prahalis. It’s been a while since Ohio State has been able to win a big game out of the conference, and a victory in Cameron could provide just that. Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie is excited about her team and its tough schedule. The Blue Devils will play Ohio State, Stanford and Connecticut. DEC. 14:

Maggie Dixon Classic

The Maggie Dixon Classic returns to Madison Square Garden for the third straight season for a women’s doubleheader. Griner and Baylor take on Boston College in the opener while Tennessee faces Rutgers in the second game. DEC. 19-20:

Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic

Although it doesn’t get the attention of some of the other holiday tournaments, this contest features Arizona State, Baylor, Texas A&M, and Gonzaga. A victory or two could go a long way toward garnering national attention for the Zags and star player Courtney Vandersloot. DEC. 23:

Stanford-Connecticut

A championship preview? The East-West matchup between the top two teams in women’s college basketball will take place in Storrs right before the holidays. Although the Cardinal will be the Huskies’ first real test of the season, Stanford already will have played big games against Duke and Tennessee. Last season Stanford had no answer for UConn in the Final Four. JAN 16, MARCH 1:

Notre Dame-Connecticut

The Big East changed the home-and-home partners in the league this season, setting up two matchups between these teams. Notre Dame has the best chance of anyone in the conference to knock off UConn. With nearly the entire team returning, as well as the conference’s preseason freshman of the year, big things are expected in South Bend. FEB. 6:

Bowling Green at Ball State

A year ago few outside of Indiana knew much about Ball State’s program. A victory over Tennessee in the opening round of the NCAA tournament changed that. Ball State finished a game behind Bowling Green in the MAC regular season before knocking them off in the conference tournament to earn the NCAA bid. While Ball State took down Tennessee, Bowling Green beat Syracuse in the WNIT. Both MAC teams return a lot of the same pieces from last season and could be poised for more postseason tournament runs. FEB. 8, FEB 28:

North Carolina-Duke

No matter how good or bad these two squads are, it’s always a battle between the Tobacco Road rivals. Sylvia Hatchell calls this her most athletic team ever at North Carolina, and Duke will try and control the tempo and pace of the game.