Where Underwood’s program is right now, the standard is the Sweet 16. Every year.

And then hope four games from there.

I’d like some sort of B1G trophy every 3 years. Not sure how that plays in the now 18 team behemoth of a league tho.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois women's basketball team was selected to play in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) and will take on Missouri State on Thursday, March 21, the NCAA announced Sunday. The game will take place at State Farm Center.


What is the WBIT?

The Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) is a newly created 32-team postseason single-elimination tournament owned and sponsored by the NCAA. The competition is the second-best women's basketball postseason tournament available (behind the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament) and is in its first year of existence.

Created to ensure equity between the NCAA's men's and women's basketball postseason opportunities, the WBIT does not replace any existing event and will instead be held as a separate NCAA-funded entity.

What is the format for the WBIT?

The WBIT features 32 teams and will run from the first round (March 21) through the championship game (April 3). The single-elimination tournament features 16 seeded teams, with the top four seeded teams in four separate sections of the bracket.

The first three rounds will take place on campus sites, while the semifinal and championship games will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. In each of the first three rounds, the higher-seeded team with an available facility will host the contest at campus sites.

Dates for each round of the tournament have already been determined.

• First round: Thursday, March 21
• Second round: Sunday, March 24
• Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 28
• Semifinals: Monday, April 1
• Championship game: Wednesday, April 3

Tipoff times past the first round have yet to be announced.

How can I get tickets to WBIT games?

Since the WBIT is sponsored and funded by the NCAA, fans should be on the lookout for communication regarding WBIT tickets soon. Illinois season ticket holders should check their email for information to purchase tickets. Any non-season ticket holder can purchase tickets beginning at 4 p.m. CT on Monday, March 18. Please reach out to the Illinois Athletics Ticket Office at 1-866-ILLINI-1 or illinitickets@illinois.edu for more information.

Ticket prices for WBIT games at State Farm Center are listed below:

• Courtside: $25
• Loge: $15
• Lower bowl and general admission: $15
• Students/Youth: $10
• Ages 2 and older must have a ticket for admission

Do my Illinois women's basketball season tickets work for WBIT games at State Farm Center?

No. Since the WBIT is sponsored and funded by the NCAA, Illinois season tickets will not be valid. Be on the lookout for communication from the Illinois ticket office regarding WBIT tickets.

How can I follow WBIT games?

All games for the duration of the WBIT will be broadcast on ESPN platforms. The preliminary-round games (first round, second round, and quarterfinals) will be available for streaming on ESPN+. The two semifinal games will air on ESPNU, while the championship will air nationally on ESPN2.

Will I be able to watch any neutral games at State Farm Center?

No neutral-site WBIT games will be held at State Farm Center.

What is the WBIT equivalent on the men's side of college basketball?

The WBIT is equivalent to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in men's basketball.

When was the last time Illinois hosted a postseason game for women's basketball?

Illinois hosted the first two rounds of the 2012-13 WNIT and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Across the NCAA Tournament, WNIT, and IAIAW postseason events, Illinois has hosted during 13 different seasons for a total of 21 games, not including this season's contests.

Will Illinois host a potential second-round WBIT game?

Illinois is not guaranteed to host the second round.

Get your questions in before the end of the day today and I'll answer them early Saturday before the game.

I am surprised there has not been much more posting on here regarding the complete sense of there being some justice in the NCAA with DUKE looking like crap. What a pleasure that second half was. It helped me to flush out the remaining poison from the UCONN beat down. I was so fulfilled by yelling at my TV and calling Scheyer every vulgar variation of punk and putz I could come up with. Watching that putz do his Weber imitation as he made no moves to generate offense is the "happy place" I envision in order to fall asleep at night.

Just thinking out loud about the roster. My assumptions are mine alone.

Transfers out: Dainja, Harris, Moretti
Graduating: Shannon, Hawkins, Domask, Guerrier, Harmon
Returning players: Rodgers, Hansberry, Goode, DGL
Recruits: Butler, Jakstys, Johnson
Going to keep one spot open.
Transfers in: AJ Storr, Dante Maddox, Xavier Amos, ???, ???

Now I’ll look at the 10-deep
PG: ???, Maddox
SG: DGL, Butler
SF: Storr, Rodgers
PF: Goode, Amos
C: Johnson, Hansberry
Bench: Jakstys, ???

I’d look for a stud PG type like a Kylan Boswell and a beefier big like a Robbie Avila.
Some of the guys I have leaving are better roster fits than some of the guys I have staying.
I think this shows me how confusing the roster will be next year even as we start tossing around names.

Is there a spring content file somewhere. Not hearing much.

St. Louis -> Chicago -> Indianapolis

Staff is building the juggernaut to win the title in two years.

I noticed we're targeting a lot of current sophomores in the portal.

Let's see how they do.

Like his frame and skill set a lot . He can play.

Moving on from the season. But Like NIU FORWARD a lot.

For a conditional 6th round pick that could become a 4th rounder.

Hopefully tomorrow night UConn will play the way Marquette is tonight

How Hawkins envisioned it:

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How it went down:

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Some more kids coming in to watch spring practice.

3/28

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4/2

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4/5

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