Omaha Draws Colorado State for Preseason WNIT Opener
Jun 13, 2016 | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team will play Colorado State in the first round of the Preseason WNIT in Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 11, tournament officials announced in the bracket unveiling Monday. The Mavericks and Rams will tipoff at 8 p.m. (CT) at Moby Arena.
The tournament opens Friday, Nov. 11 with seven first-round games, while one is slated for Nov. 12. Round Two of the event will unfold Nov. 13-14; the semifinals are Nov. 17, and the Preseason WNIT Championship will be played at 3 p.m. (ET), Nov. 20, with the contest televised by CBS Sports Network. All games are hosted by participating schools.
Omaha will make its Preseason WNIT debut, as will Abilene Christian, Central Michigan, Elon, Fordham, Green Bay, Missouri, and UT-Rio Grande Valley.
Each team is guaranteed three games in the tournament, either in the winners' bracket or the consolation bracket. The WNIT field consists of 16 teams: Abilene Christian (Southland), Central Michigan (MAC), Colorado State (MWC), Eastern Washington (Big Sky), Elon (Colonial), 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 League), UT-Rio Grande Valley (WAC) and Washington (Pac-12).
Omaha returns nine players, including three starters, and adds five players to a team that finished the 2015-16 season with a 15-15 overall record. Returning to the hardwood are first-team All-Summit League selection Mikaela Shaw (18.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg).
Colorado State finished last season 31-2 overall, with a perfect 18-0 Mountain West record. The Rams fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to South Florida, 48-45.
Friday, Nov. 11 (all times Eastern)
Central Michigan at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Furman at Fordham, 7 p.m.
North Texas at Little Rock, 7:30 p.m.
Abilene Christian at Missouri, 8 p.m.
Elon at Green Bay, 8 p.m.
Omaha at Colorado State, 9 p.m.
Eastern Washington at Washington, 10 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 12 (all times Eastern)
UTRGV at Nebraska, 2 p.m.
About the WNIT
The Preseason WNIT began in its modern form in 1994. Since its inception, over 200 teams representing all 32 conferences have competed in the tournament. UConn have won the championship a record three times. It is organized and produced by Triple Crown Sports, a national sports event company based in Fort Collins, Colo. For more information on the WNIT visit WomensNIT.com.
