Lobos invited
The UNM women’s basketball team will play in the preseason WNIT this November.
The 2018-19 season will start much like last season ended for the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team — in the WNIT.
UNM is one of 16 teams chosen to participate in the preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament, event organizers announced Tuesday. The Lobos advanced to round three of the postseason WNIT in March to complete a 25-11 campaign.
Only the 2018 Preseason WNIT field was revealed Tuesday. Matchups and the tournament bracket will be announced in June. Participating teams are guaranteed at least three games, and UNM coach Mike Bradbury said his squad will host its first two WNIT games Nov. 9 and 11.
“It works out really well for us,” Bradbury said. “The competition’s good, we get a couple of home games, maybe more, and it’s always fun to play in a tournament atmosphere.”
The Lobos are one of nine teams in the field that advanced to postseason play in 2017-18. Three (Marquette, Miami and Nicholls State) competed in the NCAA Tournament. UNM edged then-No. 16 Marquette in a thriller at the Pit last November. New Mexico, Delaware, Northern Iowa, Stephen F. Austin and Texas State played in the postseason WNIT last season. Yale won the WBI championship.
The remaining seven teams in the Preseason WNIT field are Auburn, Hartford, Iowa State, Montana State, Morgan State, Niagara and Northern Illinois. Twelve of the 16 teams posted winning records last season, with Auburn (14-15), Iowa State (14-17), Niagara (13-
18) and Northern Illinois (15-15) the exceptions.
UNM’s WNIT opener will be its first regular-season game, Bradbury said. The Lobos will play two exhibition games beforehand, including one against Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 3. The second exhibition has not been finalized.
Bradbury said he plans to release his team’s nonconference schedule as soon as the Preseason WNIT bracket is announced.
CAMP INFO: UNM will host the Mike Bradbury Basketball Camps for girls in June. Sessions include an individual camp (June 18-21 for ages 8-17), high school team camp (June 22-23 for varsity and JV teams) and elite camp (June 24 for high school players grades 9-12). Contact Vera Jo Bustos (505-925-5787) or click the “Camps” link at www.golobos.com for fees and additional information.