VANCOUVER – The 2019-20 UBC Thunderbirds varsity season will officially begin with a pair of women's basketball home games against NCAA Division I opponents.
 
UBC hosts the Alabama Crimson Tide Tuesday afternoon at War Memorial Gymnasium. The scheduled tip off is 5 p.m.
 
The Thunderbirds will then take on the Kent State Golden Flashes Sunday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m.
 
"We see it as an opportunity and a challenge," said UBC head coach Deb Huband, who is beginning her 25^th season at the helm of the Thunderbirds women's basketball program. "We'll have a partial roster but I think it's a great opportunity for those that are here to face very tough, unique opponents and give their best effort, displaying some of the priority focuses for us this summer, like tenacious defence, better and rebounding habits. We've been experimenting with some different things offensively so it gives us a chance to see how that is coming along in a very early series of games.
 
"I think it will be good for us to see where we are. It's a bit different, and some variety from the usual summer training, and we look forward to welcoming Alabama and Kent State."
 

The Thunderbirds went 20-8 last season, posting a 14-6 record in Canada West conference play.
 
Alabama – coached by Kristy Curry – went 5-11 in Southeastern Conference action, and finished at 14-17 after falling in the second round of its league tournament. The Mid-American Conference's Kent State advanced to the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament, ending the campaign with a 20-13 mark. Head coach Todd Starkey's Golden Flashes won 11 of 18 conference outings.
 
Admission to both of UBC's games this month is free.