June 27, 2003

WNIT Bracket in PDF Format
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OXFORD, Ohio -In another sign of the increasing prominence of the Miami Women's Basketball program, head coach Maria Fantanarosa is pleased to announce that the RedHawks have accepted one of 16 bids nationwide to compete in the prestigious 2003 Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).

Miami, which made its Preseason WNIT debut in 1997, makes its second appearance in the tournament on Nov. 15 when it travels to the University of Michigan to challenge the Wolverines. The RedHawks have not clashed with the Wolverines, who are under the direction of first-year head coach Cheryl Burnett, since 1980 but hold a 2-0 advantage in the series with both wins coming in Ann Arbor.

"We're very excited to have the opportunity to play a strong Big Ten opponent like Michigan," Fantanarosa said. "The whole field at this year's tournament is very competitive, and this will be a great way to start our season."

Other teams in Miami's bracket include the University of Cincinnati and Liberty University, which both compteted in the 2003 NCAA Tournament. The RedHawks have not faced the Bearcats since 1993 and last clashed with the Flames in 1995.

The field for the tournament that officially tips off the women's college basketball season includes seven teams that appeared in last season's NCAA Tournament, includings Texas Tech, Western Kentucky, Utah, Santa Barbara, Rutgers, Liberty and Cincinnati. All games will be played on home campuses, which are determined after each round. The tournament opens Nov. 14-15, with second-round games on Nov. 16-17, semifinals on Nov. 20, and the championship on Nov. 23.

In last year's Preseason WNIT, No. 4-ranked Kansas State captured the title with an 88-66 victory over No. 14 Penn State. Kansas State went on to a 29-5 season.

Following are this year's first-round pairings:

FIRST-ROUND GAMES Texas-San Antonio at Texas Tech, Friday, Nov. 14 Rhode Island at Western Kentucky, Friday, Nov. 14 Southeast Missouri State at Utah, Friday, Nov. 14 San Diego at California-Santa Barbara, Saturday, Nov. 15 St. Peter's at Rutgers, Friday, Nov. 14 Jackson State at Mississippi, Friday, Nov. 14 Miami at Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 15 Liberty at Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 14

Check back with www.MURedHawks.com early next week for the release of Miami's complete non-conference scheudle