wnit

The University of Wisconsin women’s basketball team was one of 48 teams selected to compete in the 2009 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), the organization announced Monday night. The Badgers (18-14) will host the winner of Chattanooga (22-9) vs. Kentucky (15-15) in a second-round game in the Kohl Center. Game times and dates will be announced on Tuesday by the WNIT
“We’re excited to be able to extend our season in the WNIT,” said Coach Lisa Stone. “Coming off the Big Ten Tournament, our team is playing well. We’re excited to be playing some new teams, teams that we haven’t played several times this season. We’ve had some rest and we’re ready to go.”
The Badgers are making their fifth appearance in the WNIT। Wisconsin is 13-3 in four WNIT appearances, having won the championship once (2000). UW has played in the championship game three times, losing at Arkansas in 1999 and at Wyoming in 2007. In 2008, the Badgers received a first-round bye before losing to Villanova in the second round.

The WNIT kicks off post-season play on Wednesday with 16 first-round games on the campuses of participating schools। While 32 teams play in the first round, 16 teams received a bye and begin their tournament with a second-round game. The WNIT championship game will be held on April 4 at 1 p.m. on the campus of the two final participating schools.

This year’s WNIT field features six teams from the Big East Conference, five teams from the Atlantic 10, three teams from the Southeastern and Big 12 conferences as well as two teams each from the Missouri Valley, America East and Big Ten. All other conferences have only one representative.
Thirty-one teams earned an automatic berth via their high finish in conference, while 17 teams were chosen at-large. The automatic berth in each conference goes to the team that finishes the highest in the regular-season standings that does not advance to the NCAA tournament. To be considered for the tournament, a team must have an overall record of .500 or better.
WNIT Tickets – All tickets are general admission:
Ticket prices: Adults - $8; Youth, Seniors & UW Students - $4
Tickets go on sale at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday and may be purchased on line at UWBadgers.com, over the phone at 1-800-GO BADGERS or in person at the McGinnis Family Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office at 1440 Monroe St. , during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tickets will not be mailed and must be picked up at will call or by printing tickets at home (internet orders only).
Should Wisconsin advance through the tournament, tickets for subsequent games will go on sale as soon as possible, online, over the phone or in person.