Nicholls Colonels receive invite for 2018 Preseason WNIT

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Triple Crown Sports revealed Tuesday the participates for the 2018 Preseason Women’s Basketball National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) and for the first time in program history, the Nicholls State University women’s basketball team will partake in the event.

After winning the program’s first conference title, the Colonels received an invite to the NCAA’s premier preseason tournament. Nicholls finished 19-14 last season and earned its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, taking on national runners-up Mississippi State.

Including Nicholls, the 2018 Preseason NIT field includes: Auburn (SEC), Delaware (Colonial), Hartford (America East), Iowa State (Big 12), Marquette (Big East), Miami (ACC), Montana State (Big Sky), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), New Mexico (Mountain West), Niagara (Metro Atlantic), Northern Illinois (Mid-American), Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Texas State (Sun Belt) and Yale (Ivy).

This is the first time in the Preseason WNIT for nine programs: Auburn, Iowa State, Miami, Montana State, Morgan State, Niagara, Nicholls, Texas State and Yale. It’s the second time around for Marquette and Northern Iowa, with Hartford, Northern Illinois and Stephen F. Austin playing for the third time. Delaware is in the mix for the fourth time, and this will mark the fifth WNIT for New Mexico.

“After a quarter of a century, we have a lot of high-achieving teams that have had an opportunity to play in the Preseason WNIT. We look forward to seeing some fresh faces as well as others who know this is a terrific way to kick off the season,” said Renee Carlson, Executive Director of the WNIT. “Fans of the women’s game will see which teams are prepared for a run to the postseason.”

This will be the 25th edition of the Preseason WNIT; the November event features a three-game guarantee for all teams, with first-round matchups and the bracket to be announced later this spring. All games are hosted by participating schools, with the championship game televised on CBS Sports Network.

The Colonels graduated two starters, Tia Charles and Marina Lilly, but return Southland Conference Player of the Year Cassidy Barrios, who averaged 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. Also back for Nicholls is second-leading scorer Tykeria Williams (13.2 ppg).

For the latest news on Colonels women’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.