Hampton will face James Madison on Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m. the JMU Convocation Center in the 2010 Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
The Lady Pirates (20-12) recorded their first 20-win season since 2003, and played in its fourth NCAA Tournament and first since 2000. They won 16 of their last 19 games in 2009-10, including the MEAC Tournament championship, with seven freshmen and four sophomores on the roster.
JMU, the Colonial Athletic Association champion, has nearly everyone back from its NCAA Tournament team that finished 26-7 overall and 13-5 in the CAA, including winning the conference tournament championship. CAA First-teamer Dawn Evans (24.6 ppg, 4.6 apg) heads a strong five-member senior class.
In addition to JMU and Hampton, the WNIT field includes 2010 conference champions Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), Lamar (Southland), South Dakota State (Summit League), St. Francis, Pa. (Northeast), and Utah Valley (Great West).
The JMU-Hampton winner advances to a quarterfinal-round game against the winner of the first-round game between South Dakota State and Utah Valley.
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.
In last year's Preseason WNIT, Ohio State defeated Oklahoma State 93-72.
First-Round Preseason WNIT Games
2009-10 team records in parentheses
Friday, Nov. 12
Austin Peay (15-18) at Purdue (15-17), 5 p.m. ET
St. Francis, Pa. (17-15) at Toledo (25-9), 7 p.m. ET
Hampton (20-12) at JMU (26-7), 7 p.m. ET
Lamar (26-8) at Missouri State (22-11), 7:05 p.m. ET
Valparaiso (9-21) at DePaul (21-12), 8 p.m. ET
Utah Valley (10-22) at South Dakota State (22-11), 8 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 13
Central Florida (11-16) at Florida (15-17), time TBA
Iona (18-14) at Charlotte (18-14), 5 p.m. ET
For more information, contact WNIT Director Renee Carlson at (970) 672-0557, or visit the website at www.womensnit.com.