Women's Basketball Earns Automatic Bid to WNIT

[IAA Fan]

Youngstown -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team will play in a postseason tournament for the first time in 13 years.

The Penguins have earned the Horizon League's automatic bid to the Women's National Invitational Tournament by virtue of top-seeded Green Bay winning the Horizon League Tournament Championship. The WNIT's automatic berth goes to the team that finishes highest in the regular season standings that does not make the NCAA Tournament.

YSU will have a gathering at Cassese's MVR on Monday at 10:30 p.m. to see who it will play in the WNIT.

Fans are invited to attend as the tournament bracket will be announced between 11 p.m. and midnight on www.womensnit.com.

[guinpen]

hummm - guessing a road game.

[Lets_Talk]

I can see YSU getting a home game. A long shot, and will likely depend on which teams put in bids.
YSU(22-9) has an RPI of 81, and the HL an RPI of 13th

Here are two potential 1st round opponents for YSU to host, each has an auto-bid to the WNIT, and could be considered "regional" match-ups:
EIU(19-11, RPI 136.... OVC had RPI of 29th)
IUPUI(20-11, RPI of 151... Summit was 24th in RPI)

Here are a few other possible opponents YSU could host, from teams not yet in the WNIT:
* Akron(23-9, RPI) . The Zips won the MAC East regular season title, but not the MAC Tournament. Yes, the 2 teams played earlier this season, but this would be an easy game travel wise for both teams, and also a game that could possibly draw a good sized crowd for a WNIT 1st round game. Akron went 0-4 against teams in Top 50 and lost to CMU in the MAC Championship Game, which likely will keep the Zips out of the NCAA Tournament.

* Toledo(27-3 overall, RPI 46), 1st place MAC West but did not win MAC Title. If not an at-large NCAA team, they will almost certainly be in the WNIT. Do not see Toledo in the NCAA Tournament because of the MAC's less than stellar RPI(18th). SOS was 205, and were 1-3 against teams in top 50 RPI. Also did not advance to MAC Title game. Will not help their efforts for at large NCAA bid.

* Illinois State(23-10, RPI 66) is a possible WNIT team.

* Duquesne(23-7, RPI 25) is a bubble team right now. Finished tie 4th in A-10, and were only 1-5 against Top 50 teams. Also finished the season 4-6, and lost in 2nd game on A-10 tournament.

A few other possible opponents, but on the road:
OSU is a bubble team right now, and obviously no way OSU would be sent to play YSU.
WVU is also a bubble team, but again, WVU is not going to be sent to play at YSU if in the WNIT

[Wick250]

Wonderful news.  YSU will host Indiana State on Thursday.  Two post-season tournament games in Beeghly within 48 hours.  Amazing.

[guinpen]

hummm - guessing a road game.

Cool, I will be there

[Lets_Talk]

I think YSU will be out to make up for the poor showing against Loyola in the HL Tournament. Could tell from reading the post game comments of the players and Boldon the team was not happy, and wanted an opportunity to prove they are deserving of being in the WNIT.

Does anyone know if Heidi Schlegal will be able to play? Having Heidi would help alot with depth inside, plus she is just a solid player.

GO PENGUINS!!!!