May 23, 2007

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The 16-team field for the 2007 Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), featuring Marshall University for the first time in event history, was announced today by WNIT officials.

The field features nine teams that are coming off postseason play in 2006-07 and seven teams that were ranked in the national polls last year. The field includes: Delaware, Delaware State, East Tennessee State, Evansville, IUPUI, LSU, Marshall, Maryland, Miami-Ohio, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Princeton, Radford, Samford, TCU and Western Kentucky.

LSU advanced to the Final Four last season while Maryland claimed the 2006 national championship.

The season-opening tournament introduces a new format in 2007, the 14th season of the event, moving from single elimination to a three-game guarantee format. Round one will kick off on Friday, Nov. 9, at various campus sites. The entire tournament will be played exclusively on participating school campuses around the country.

A completed bracket with first-round pairings and sites will be announced in June.

The Preseason WNIT invites up to one school per conference based on expected team strength for 2007-08, past team history, conference results, fan base and geographical location. Marshall is one of nine teams that will participate in the tournament for the first time.

Following first-round play on Nov. 9, round two will be Nov. 11-13 with the semifinals occurring Nov. 14-15. The championship will be played on Nov. 18. The consolation bracket quads, two four-team pools featuring first round losers, will be played Nov. 16-17. Round two losers will play their final game Nov. 16 or 17 at separate sites.