Queens University Royals Women's Basketball: A Deep Dive into the Upcoming ASUN Slate

There’s a certain buzz that comes with being the newcomers. For the Queens University Royals, that energy has been building for a few years now. The men’s programme made a deep run in the NCAA tournament a while back—you might remember that plucky side giving a top-tier programme a real scare—and that spirit has fully rubbed off on the women’s team. If you’ve been sleeping on the Royals, particularly this ASUN squad, it’s time to wake up. The upcoming fixture list is packed with chances to make a statement, and it all kicks off right here in the Queen City.

When you look at the slate for the women’s team, you’re looking at a gruelling run designed to forge a contender. It’s not just about the wins and losses; it’s about the quality of the opposition. We’re talking about a schedule that demands you bring your A-game every single night. For the Royals, the path to earning respect in this conference runs through some familiar foes and some gritty away trips that will test the character of this squad.

Home Comforts at the Levine Center

There’s nothing quite like a midweek fixture in Charlotte when the Royals are on a roll. The atmosphere at the Levine Center is intimate, but when the students pack in, it gets loud. We’ve got a handful of home games that are absolute must-watch events. The Jacksonville Dolphins at Queens University Royals Women’s Basketball clash is one of those classic ASUN battles that usually comes down to the final possession. Jacksonville always bring a physical style, and the Dolphins aren’t the type of team that gets rattled by a visiting crowd. For Queens, these are the games that define a season—prove you can hold serve at home against a conference rival, and you set yourselves up for the post-season.

Then you have the Central Arkansas Bears at Queens University Royals Women’s Basketball game, which is a fascinating stylistic clash. The Bears like to push the tempo, forcing turnovers and turning defence into instant offence. If the Royals can slow them down and impose their half-court sets, it turns into a chess match that’s a joy to watch. And don’t overlook the North Florida Ospreys at Queens University Royals Women’s Basketball game. The Ospreys are one of those teams that are never out of a game; they can shoot the lights out from deep. Those nights are when you see which Queens players have that "closer" mentality.

• Jacksonville Dolphins: A physical, defence-first grudge match. Expect a real battle.
• Central Arkansas Bears: All about tempo. Can the Royals dictate the pace?
• North Florida Ospreys: A three-point shooting clinic. Perimeter defence will be key.

Road Warriors: Trips to Virginia and the Mountains

If you want to know what a team is really made of, you watch them on the road. It’s easy to play well in front of your own fans. But when you’re on a coach for hours, sleeping in a hotel, and walking into a hostile arena? That’s where you separate the pretenders from the contenders. One of the biggest tests on the agenda is the trip to Harrisonburg for the Queens University Royals at James Madison Dukes Women’s Basketball showdown. JMU have built a powerhouse programme known for their relentless defensive pressure and a fan base that treats every game like it’s the Super Bowl. Walking into the Atlantic Union Bank Center is not for the faint-hearted. For the Royals, this is a measuring stick game. If they can go in there and handle the pressure, it tells you they’re ready for anything the conference tournament throws at them.

Another away trip that has my attention is the Queens University Royals at Western Carolina Catamounts Women’s Basketball game. Western Carolina might not have the same national spotlight as some of the bigger programmes, but playing in Cullowhee is a unique challenge. It’s tucked away in the mountains, the arena gets packed, and it’s one of those places where the home team feeds off the energy of the crowd. This is the kind of game that veteran sides win by staying composed when the momentum swings against them. It’s a classic trap game scenario—overlook the Catamounts at your own peril.

Look, I’ve been around this game long enough to know that a team’s identity isn’t built in November or December. It’s built in the grind of January and February, when the novelty of the season has worn off and every possession matters. This Queens squad has the pieces. They’ve got guards who can break a press, forwards who can mix it up in the paint, and a coaching staff that has been here before. The question isn’t talent. The question is grit.

If the Royals can protect their home floor in those pivotal ASUN matchups against Jacksonville and North Florida, and if they can nick a game or two on the road—especially that monster game against JMU—they’re going to be a problem for anyone in the conference tournament. Mark my words: the Queens University Royals aren’t just playing basketball this season. They’re building something that’s going to last. And if you’re a fan of pure, competitive college hoops, you’re going to want to catch these games.