The Illinois State University [ISU] women’s basketball team will participate in a third consecutive Postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament [WNIT]. But the Redbirds have to wait a little longer to find out their first opponent.
With an overall record of 21-12, ISU received a first-round bye as an at-large selection for the 48-team, single-elimination tournament. The Redbirds will face the winner of Thursday’s first-round matchup between Lipscomb [20-11] and Western Illinois [16-16] at Macomb.
The date, time, and location of ISU’s game have not been announced. Although it’s likely the contest will be played at CEFCU Arena no sooner than Sunday.
If the Redbirds win, they will face either Central Arkansas [23-9], Abilene Christian [20-12] or Northwestern State [16-15] for a chance to reach the “Great Eight.”
The semifinals will be played April 1-2 and the championship game is scheduled for April 5.
ISU is in the WNIT field for the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Kristen Gillespie — the exception being the Redbirds’ appearance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship.
This is the second year in a row that ISU has been given a first-round bye. The Redbirds reached the Super 16 last year, opening with a home win over Charleston before losing at Wisconsin.
