The Big Ten Conference office announced today the 2007-08 women’s basketball composite schedule, which features notable changes including two additional conference games as well as the inaugural Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

When conference play opens Thursday, Dec. 27, with Illinois at Northwestern, it will mark the first time since the 1993-94 season the Big Ten slate will consist of 18 games, instead of 16.

Last May, the Big Ten and ACC agreed on the formation of at least a four-year annual matchup pitting 11teams from each conference in head-to-head competition. This annual event will be held traditionally on the first Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after Thanksgiving, following the men's basketball Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

In addition, four new faces will pace the Big Ten sidelines this year – the highest number of new coaches to start a season in the conference’s history. This year the Big Ten welcomes Illinois’ Jolette Law, Michigan’s Kevin Borseth, Michigan State’s Suzy Merchant and Penn State’s Coquese Washington.