New USF women's basketball coach Kristy Curry won't have to wait long to find out how her team will handle tough competition .
The Bulls are one of two American Conference teams chosen to participate in the first year of a two-year partnership between the American, Missouri Valley, Ivy League, and the Atlantic 10. The idea is to designate two top teams from each conference to play in what is billled as a "resume-building" opportunity looking toward the NCAA tournament.
The Bulls will play Belmont, which is one of two host sites for the event, on November 6. They will conclude the event on November 8 against Rhode Island.
"This partnership reflects the kind of innovation and collaboration that will help drive the next chapter of women's basketball," MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson said.
"The Missouri Valley Conference, American Conference, Atlantic 10 and Ivy League have come together to create meaningful early-season competition among programs that consistently compete at a high national level. Our goal is simple: provide outstanding opportunities for student-athletes, enhance the competitive profile of our programs, and contribute to the continued growth and visibility of women's basketball."
Rice is the other team from the American that will be participating.
You officially have a date to mark on your calendars. Two, actually.
— USF Women's Basketball (@USFWBB) July 9, 2026
📰 https://t.co/YEVoRp11O1 pic.twitter.com/UE8XjZnumI
Belmont was 20-12 last season. It was the 11th consecutive season of at least 20 wins. The Bruins have 10 regular-season and seven conference tournament championships and have. been to the NCAA tournament seven times.
Rhode Island finished 28-5 last season and was the regular-season and tournament champion in the Atlantic 10. It ranked 49th in the NCAA's NET rating.
“The women’s basketball movement continues to gain momentum, and we are working hard to position the American at the forefront," American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti said.
“This innovative partnership with our colleagues at the Atlantic 10, Ivy League and Missouri Valley Conference on opening weekend creates a unique showcase that will build strong resumes for the postseason and puts our leagues in the national conversation from the first tip of the season."
Curry was hired by USF after spending 27 combined years as a head coach at Purdue, Texas Tech, and Alabama. She has 554 wins and 14 NCAA tournament appearances, including last season at Alabama.
The Bulls finished 20-12 last season for interim head coach Michele Woods-Baxter, who took over after long-time coach Jose Fernandez left to join the Dallas Wings of the WNBA shortly before the season began.
"Kristy Curry is a big name in women's college basketball,'' USF guard Hannah Kohn, a transfer from Clemson. told Joey Johnston of GoUSFBullls.com "Everybody knows her and knows she's a good coach. She has such positive energy. College basketball is hard, but I always noticed her teams at Alabama lifted each other up and had a good time.
"Obviously, the X's and O's were done very well with the way they won."As a player, that kind of mindset is attractive. And it's not just the basketball. She's a great woman and her whole coaching staff are people you want to be around and learn from every day. Any player that looks at USF women's basketball would realize it's a great situation.''
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