The Hampton Lady Pirates were among the 16 member field announced today for the 2010 Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).

The MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Champion Hampton Lady Pirates won 16 of their last 19 games during the 2009-10 season and earned their fourth bid to the NCAA Tournament - their first since 2003. Hampton's 20-12 record was the best for the Lady Pirates since the 2002-03 squad, which tallied a 23-9 record.

The Preseason WNIT field includes seven teams that won their conference tournaments in 2010: Austin Peay, Hampton, JMU, Lamar, South Dakota State, St. Francis PA, and Utah Valley. Other teams that also earned postseason play are Charlotte, DePaul, Florida, Iona, Missouri State, Purdue, and Toledo. Central Florida and Valparaiso round out the field for this year's Preseason WNIT.

The Preseason WNIT bracket will be announced in June.

The Preseason WNIT features a three-game guarantee format. The event opens Nov. 12-13 with first-round games. Second-round games will be played Nov. 14-15; semifinals will be Nov. 17-18; and the championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 21.  Teams that lose in the first two rounds will play consolation games on the second weekend, Nov. 19-20. All games are hosted by participating schools, and sites are announced by the end of the preceding round.

In last year's Preseason WNIT, Ohio State defeated Oklahoma State 93-72.

2010 Preseason WNIT Field
Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Central Florida (Conference-USA)
Charlotte (Atlantic 10)
DePaul (Big East)
Florida (SEC)
Hampton (MEAC)
Iona (Metro Atlantic)
JMU (Colonial)
Lamar (Southland)
Missouri State (Missouri Valley)
Purdue (Big Ten)
South Dakota State (Summit)
St. Francis PA (Northeast)
Toledo (Mid-American)
Utah Valley (Great West)
Valparaiso (Horizon)

For more information, contact WNIT Director Renee Carlson at (970) 672-0557, or visit the website at www.womensnit.com.