Louisville to Play Arizona in The Invitational at the Sanford Pentagon

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – It was announced today that University of Louisville women's basketball will play Arizona in The Invitational at the Sanford Pentagon on Nov. 12.

The game is part of a one-day doubleheader event as South Carolina will also take on South Dakota. The event will be televised on ESPN Networks. Tickets for The Invitational at the Sanford Pentagon will go on sale at a later date.

All four teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2021 with Arizona and South Carolina reaching the Final Four. ESPN's Way- Too- Early Top 25 pre-season rankings for the 2021-22 season has South Carolina at No. 2, Louisville at No. 6 and South Dakota at No. 25.

"These are not just four great teams – this doubleheader could essentially be a preview of the programs that will make a deep run in the 2022 NCAA Tournament," said Jesse Smith, vice president of operations at the Sanford Sports Complex. "We're thrilled to see these incredible programs play on Heritage Court and build on our resume of hosting the most talented teams and players in the country."

Louisville is coming off a fourth straight Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title and a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight, the sixth in program history. South Dakota All-State selection, Sydni Schetnan of Sioux Falls Washington, has signed to play for the Cardinals.

"We are extremely excited to tip off our season at the 2021 Sanford Pentagon Women's Basketball Double Header," said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz. "To be able to compete against a tremendous Arizona team, as well as be a part of such a prestigious showcase for women's basketball, is an incredible opportunity for our team and program. As each month passes, we hope that the best fans in the country, Card Nation, will also be in attendance."

Arizona is coming off a national championship game appearance, the first in program history. The Wildcats finished with a 21-6 record in the 2020-21 season. Bismarck, North Dakota native, Lauren Ware, plays for Arizona.

"The Invitational at the Sanford Pentagon is a great early season event to test our program against Louisville, one of the top programs in the country," said Arizona head coach Adia Barnes. "For the fans to be able to see South Carolina, Louisville, South Dakota and Arizona in one location is an amazing opportunity and we are thrilled to participate. This is also a unique opportunity to get Lauren Ware home and continue to showcase our sport in a highly competitive environment."

South Carolina returns to the Pentagon after winning the Bad Boy Mowers Women's Crossover Classic in 2020. The Gamecocks defeated South Dakota and Gonzaga to begin the season on their way to the school's third Final Four berth. Head coach Dawn Staley will be coaching Team USA in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

"We are thrilled to return to the Sanford Pentagon," said Staley. "With a field of Top 25 opponents, including national semi-finalist Arizona, it's a unique mix of competition and exposure that will help our maturity process of a team mixed with 11 returners and five newcomers."

South Dakota makes its ninth appearance at the Sanford Pentagon. Last season, the Coyotes competed against South Carolina and Gonzaga in the Crossover Classic to begin their year. USD went on to win the Summit League Tournament at the Pentagon, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

"We are so excited to be one of the four programs featured in this nationally televised double-header," said South Dakota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "We had the privilege of playing in a tournament hosted by Complete Sports Management and the Sanford Pentagon last season, and it was a first-class experience down to the very last detail! For us to get to take on one of most elite teams in the country and to get to do so in our home state of South Dakota will not only be great for Coyote Nation but also a great early season measuring stick for our team."

About the Sanford Pentagon

The cornerstone of the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is the Sanford Pentagon, a 160,000-square-foot, five-sided facility featuring nine basketball courts, including the 1950s/1960s-inspired Heritage Court. The venue combines state-of-the-art amenities— including high-definition video boards and executive suites—with period-specific finishes that are a nod to the nostalgic days of basketball.

The 3,200-seat Pentagon is home to Sanford POWER Basketball Academy, Sanford POWER Volleyball Academy, the NBA G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women's and Men's Basketball tournaments, Augustana University women's and men's basketball and the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information, visit sanfordpentagon.com.

For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.

University of Louisville Athletics

Louisville to Play Arizona in The Invitational at the Sanford Pentagon

Players Mentioned

Sydni Schetnan

Related Videos