The North Carolina A&T State University women’s basketball team is one of 16 teams selected to compete in the 2013 Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The official tournament bracket with first-round opponents, game dates and times will be announced next month.

It is A&T’s second appearance in the Preseason WNIT, after posting a 1-2 record in the 2009 Preseason WNIT. The Aggies defeated Chicago State 62-57 in that tournament. Former A&T star Ta’Wuana Cook is tied for the Preseason WNIT record for most three-pointers in a tournament with 12. A&T is also the third HBCU and second MEAC team to have participated twice in the Preseason WNIT, joining Grambling State and Hampton.

"The WNIT invites 16 teams every year to its preseason tournament. There are over 300 D1 programs in the country. North Carolina A&T State University receiving an invite lets us know that there is an established standard of excellence in women's basketball here,” said A&T head coach Tarrell Robinson. “Personally, knowing first hand where this program has come from and where it's headed lets me know that we're doing the right things to keep moving this program to new heights. For the student-athletes, it has to be exciting to have a chance to compete in a national tournament to kick off your season."

Ten of the 16 teams selected for the 2013 Preseason WNIT are coming off of NCAA Tournament appearances. The rest of the 16-team field includes Georgia State, Gonzaga, Idaho, IPFW, Louisville, Loyola Chicago, LSU, Mount St. Mary’s, Oklahoma, Quinnipiac, Saint Joseph’s, Stephen F. Austin, Stetson, Tennessee-Martin and Wichita State.

The Preseason WNIT features a three-game guarantee format. The event opens Nov. 8 with first-round games. Second-round games will be played Nov. 10-11; semifinals will be Nov. 14; and the championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 17. Teams that lose in the first two rounds will play consolation games on the second weekend, Nov. 15-16. All games are hosted by participating schools.

The championship game will be nationally televised LIVE in HD on CBS Sports Network at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The Preseason WNIT began in its modern form in 1994. It is organized and produced by Triple Crown Sports, a national sports event company based in Fort Collins, Colo. For more information on the WNIT please visit: www.womensnit.com.