For the first time since 1996 and the second time in the programs history, the Illinois State University womens basketball team has accepted an invitation to play in the Preseason Womens National Invitation Tournament.
The Redbirds will play their opening round game Nov. 12 at Notre Dame. The Irish were 21-11 last year and defeated Missouri Valley Conference champion Southwest Missouri State in overtime in a first-round NCAA contest. Notre Dame is one of nine teams in this years preseason WNIT which played in post-season last Marchsix in the NCAA, three in the NIT. Missouri Valley Conference runner-up Creighton won the 2004 post-season Womens NIT.
The winner of the ISU-Notre Dame game plays the winner of Western Illinois (20-9 in 2004) at Nebraska (18-12) Nov. 14. Semi-finals are Nov. 17 and the championship will be either Nov. 20 or 21. The other four teams in Illinois States bracket are Duke (30-4), South Florida (14-15), Middle Tennessee (24-8) and Davidson (16-12). All games are played at campus sites.
Illinois State returns three senior startersguard Jaci McCormack and forwards Katie Donovan and Erin Keeney--from a team that went from a 7-21 record in 2002-03 to 16-13 in 2003-04 under first-year head coach Robin Pingeton. The Redbirds had the nations most improved record among the 40 NCAA Division I teams with new head coaches in 2003-04. They also ranked No. 4 in the nation in three-point field goals made per game with a school record 220 for the season.
Pingeton says the Preseason WNIT opportunity will help this years team immensely.
It is exciting for us to be part of such a prestigious tournament, said Pingeton. With an early start to the schedule, were a bit limited in our preseason preparation time, but going against this caliber of team is going to help us prepare for our tough non-conference and conference challenges.
With Illinois State playing host to the 2005 State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in March, the Preseason WNIT makes the season start on a special note as well.
A lot of exciting things are happening for womens basketball at Illinois State and we are appreciative of those opportunities, said Pingeton.
Illinois States invitation marks the 10th time in 11 seasons a Missouri Valley team has been selected for the Preseason WNIT. Besides Illinois State, only Southwest Missouri State (1994, 1998, 2003) has appeared more than once in the tournament.
2004 Preseason Womens NIT
FIRST ROUND (all games Nov. 12)
Illinois State (16-13) at Notre Dame (21-11)
Western Illinois (20-9) at Nebraska (18-12)
Davidson (16-12) at Duke (30-4)
South Fla. (14-15) at Middle Tenn. State (24-8)
Bowling Green (21-10) at Ohio State (21-10)
Boston U. (19-11) at St. Josephs (22-11)
St. Marys, Calif. (15-14) at Arizona (24-9)
McNeese State (11-17) at Rice (22-10)
SECOND ROUND (Nov. 14)
SEMI-FINALS (Nov. 17)
CHAMPIONSHIP (Nov. 20 or 21)
