Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan is set to lead the Cavaliers in her final postseason tournament appearance as the head coach, as it was announced today that Virginia will host Morgan State in the opening round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament on Thursday, March 17 at John Paul Jones Arena.
"We're really pleased and happy to be in the field and I think the players will be very prepared to take on Morgan State in the first round," Ryan said in a released statement. "It's great to get another game in John Paul Jones Arena."
Morgan State finished its regular season 17-14 overall (10-6 MEAC). Should Virginia advance, the Cavaliers could face Old Dominion, a team they've seen three of the past four years. Virginia's last win over Old Dominion came on November 12, 2006, 92-72 in Charlottesville. Since then, the Hoos lost to ODU in the second round of the 2008 NCAA tournament (88-85 in Norfolk, when Virginia was ranked 24 and the Lady Monarchs were ranked 11) and early in the 2008-09 season (78-70 in Norfolk, when Virginia was ranked 11 and the Lady Monarchs were ranked 25). ODU faces Loyola-Maryland in their first game.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. -- tickets are just $8.00 a piece and are general admission.