FORT COLLINS, Colo. – WNIT officials announced its 16-team 2016 Preseason WNIT field on Wednesday, May 11, which includes the Elon women’s basketball team. The event offers a three-game guarantee for all teams; matchups and game times will be announced in the next few weeks. After two straight appearances in the Postseason WNIT, this is the first time the Phoenix has competed in the Preseason WNIT.
Along with Elon, the Preseason WNIT field consists of: Abilene Christian (Southland); Central Michigan (MAC); Colorado State (MWC); Eastern Washington (Big Sky); Fordham (Atlantic 10); Furman (Southern); Green Bay (Horizon); Little Rock (Sun Belt); Missouri (SEC); Nebraska (Big Ten); North Texas (C-USA); Notre Dame (ACC); Omaha (Summit), UT-Rio Grande Valley (WAC); and Washington (Pac-12).
“The Preseason WNIT field features teams that will be heading into their best years and are primed for a breakthrough,” said tournament director Renee Carlson. “It’s fantastic to showcase programs that are on the rise and will represent their schools so well in the national spotlight.”
This is the 23rd rendition of the Preseason WNIT, featuring 11 teams that reached either the NCAA or WNIT postseason tournaments this past March. All games, including the championship and consolation rounds, are hosted by participating schools.
Making their Preseason WNIT debut are the squads from Abilene Christian, Central Michigan, Elon, Fordham, Green Bay, Missouri, Omaha and UT-Rio Grande Valley. It’s the second time around for Eastern Washington (2005), Furman (1997), Little Rock (2009), Northern Texas (2006) and Washington (1994-champions). Joining the event for the third time is Colorado State (1998-champions, 2002) and Nebraska (1997, 2004); Notre Dame is in the mix for the fifth time (1996, 2004-champions, 2007, 2011).
Notre Dame was given the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s early projections for 2016-17, and several Preseason WNIT teams have earned some early accolades. Central Michigan (MAC), Colorado State (MWC), Eastern Washington (Big Sky), Green Bay (Horizon) and Little Rock (Sun Belt) are all predicted to win their conference title. Missouri is ESPN’s preseason No. 19 team, and Washington is No. 22.