2017-18 nonconference schedule announced

The 2017-18 nonconference schedule has been announced. The season begins with an exhibition game against Heidi VanDerveer's team (UCSD) before the Cardinal travels to Ohio for games against Ohio State and UConn.

This is the announcement from Stanford Athletics. Tip times and broadcast information along with Stanford’s Pac-12 schedule will be announced later once television arrangements have been finalized. In this year’s rotation, Stanford will play the Oregon schools and the Rocky Mountain schools (Utah and Colorado) just once.

This is the schedule from the FBC. Game information includes links to each opponent's women's basketball website and maps of the venues.

Pac-12 games, links to media coverage (TV, live streams, radio, live stats) and FBC pre-game and post-game events will be added as soon as the information is available.

Hard work pays off for Alanna

Lachy France (The Pick and Roll) recounts Alanna's journey from a frustrated Stanford freshman to an Emerging Opals star in 2017 FIBA Asia Cup and looks ahead to Alanna's goals for the future:

Alanna Smith: Overnight success years in the making

Alanna is not playing in World University Games

The Australian Opals were [are] in two international tournaments this summer: FIBA Asia Cup and World University Games (WUG).

Early this summer, Alanna was on the WUG roster and not on the Asia Cup roster. Later, just before Asia Cup began, Alanna was added to the roster to replace an injured player.

The World University Games have just begun and Alanna is not on the Australian team.

Four Nations: USA 103, Japan 71

With a 103-71 win over Japan, the USA U23 Women’s National Team was crowned tournament champion.

Brittany was a beast on defense. She grabbed ten rebounds (in 16 minutes) — the most of any USA woman throughout the tournament. She added seven points with a field goal and five free throws, three assists and a block.

More:

• Game recap: USA U23 Women Capture U24 Four Nations Tournament Title
• Box score
• Photos
• Quotes

Four Nations: USA 107, Canada 61

Brittany's perfect shooting helped the USA defeat Canada 107-61 in their second game of the U24 Women Basketball League Four Nations in Japan.

She scored 15 points on seven-of-seven shooting and added two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

More:

• Game recap: USA U23 Women Red Hot In 107-61 Rout Over Canada
• Box score
• Photos
• Quotes

The Tournament will end on Tuesday with a game between the USA and host nation Japan.

Four Nations: USA 78, Australia 60

The USA defeated Australia 78-60 in the first round of the U24 Women Basketball League Four Nations.

The victory was a balanced effort by the USA U23 squad. All members of the team played from 11 to22 minutes.and they all scored between one and 14 points.

Brittany made three of five field goal attermpts for six points and also had a steal and a block. Of her first USA Basketball game, she said, "It was a cool and surreal moment. You dream about coming to play for the USA, so it was really cool and fun to be out here with such amazing players."

More:

• Game recap: Third-Quarter Surge Propels USA U23 Women Past Australia 78-60
• Box score
• Photos
• Quotes

Schedule switch – Stanford vs UConn

SNY (Sportsnet New York) reports:

UConn will play Stanford in its season opener on Nov. 12 in the Countdown to Columbus event to be played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskies were originally scheduled to take on Ohio State in the one-day showcase at the site of the 2018 NCAA Final Four. But the Buckeyes will now face Louisville in the second game of the doubleheader. Times and television information are still to be determined.

If you plan to join the Cardinal in Columbus for the opening weekend of the season and haven't yet booked your travel and lodging, be sure to read "Columbus in November" in FBC Travel News.

Q and A with Dijonai

From San Diego County Hoops Report, an interview with Dijonai Carrington:
From Small School to Big Stage

Brittany makes the USA U23 team

Brit was selected today as a member of the USA Basketball U23 team that will participate in the inaugural U24 Women Basketball League Four Nations August 12-15 in Tokyo, Japan.

The tournament, which will include the USA, Australia, Canada and Japan, will be a round-robin tournament. The USA will play play Australia on Saturday August 12 at 2:30 am PT, Canada on Sunday August 13 at 12:30 am PT and host Japan on Tuesday August 15 at2:30 am PT.

Read more in the USA Basketball announcement: Eight Gold Medalists Headline 2017 USA Women's U23 National Team

Brittany's second day at U23 training camp

The USA Basketball Women’s U23 National Team hopefuls wrapped up a busy second day of training camp on Aug. 1. They ended the day with the first games of an intrasquad, four-team tournament.

Brittany recorded a double-double line of 14 points and 11 rebounds in Team 4's 80-70 victory over Team 3.

"You definitely have to get used to everyone’s different tendencies,” said McPhee, who also notched three steals. “Everybody out here is so talented. You have to figure out how to talk on defense to avoid miscommunication. We’re all playing a new defense and a new offense, so you just play hard and figure it out.”

Read more from USA Basketball: Competition Heats Up At USA Women's U23 Training Camp