Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament

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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL INVITATION TOURNAMENT

March 31 & April 2 | Hinkle Fieldhouse I Indianapolis, IN

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FAQs

 

Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) Frequently Asked Questions

 
 
What is the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT)?
In 2023 the Ƶ announced the creation of an annual 32-team postseason invitation tournament for women’s basketball, which will be owned and funded by the Ƶ. The Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) will be held annually beginning in 2024.
 
 
Why was the WBIT created?
The creation of the WBIT ensures the Ƶ is providing equitable postseason opportunities for women’s basketball similar to that of men’s basketball, which was a recommendation from the 2021 Gender Equity Report.
 
Ƶ supported men’s and women’s basketball postseason opportunities are now equitably available through a combination of the Ƶ Division I Men’s or Women’s Basketball Championships (68 teams each) and men’s or women’s basketball postseason invitation tournaments (32 teams each).
 
Additionally, as women's basketball continues its growth trajectory, opportunities, and events like this support our three strategic goals of transformational student-athlete experience, quality competition and memorable championships.
 
 
With the addition of the WBIT, how many postseason opportunities will now exist in Division I women’s basketball?
Not including 11 schools currently in the reclassifying process from Division II, there are 349 Division I institutions that will sponsor women’s basketball in 2023-24, translating into 19.4% of schools that make the 68-team Ƶ Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Starting in 2024 with the addition of the WBIT, 100 postseason Ƶ funded opportunities will be available for women’s basketball teams, equal to that of men’s basketball through their two events (68 team championship and 32 team NIT). With the two women’s basketball events, the percentage of Ƶ postseason opportunities in Division I women’s basketball will be 28.7%.
 
 
Who will be responsible for selecting the teams for the WBIT?
The WBIT selection committee, comprised of five former Division I women’s basketball coaches and three current/former Division I athletic administrators will be responsible for selecting the 32-team field.
 

What tournament format will be utilized by the WBIT?
Preliminary round games (first, second and quarterfinal rounds) will be played at campus sites. The WBIT semifinals and finals will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis. The top 16 seeds, as determined by the selection committee, will host first round games provided they submit a bid and meet the minimum hosting requirements.
 
 
Where can fans watch the WBIT games?
All preliminary round games will be broadcasted live on ESPN+. The semifinal games will air on ESPNU and the championship game will be broadcasted live on ESPN2. Semifinal games will be played on Monday, March 31 with the first semifinal game starting at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. The WBIT championship game will be played on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
 
 
How will the WBIT be branded?
The Ƶ’s branding package for the WBIT will continue to highlight orange in alignment with other Ƶ women’s basketball branding, including the March Madness logo. The logo – which is inspired by a backboard and net, also features blue to connect with the Ƶ’s parent brand.
 
 
Does the WBIT replace any existing postseason tournaments?
The WBIT is a new event that will exist independently of all other women’s basketball postseason tournaments.
 
 
 
 

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