GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman's women's basketball team is among 16 teams invited to participate in the 2016 Preseason WNIT, it was announced today.

The event offers a three-game guarantee for all teams; matchups and game times will be announced in the next few weeks.

Furman, which will be making its second appearance in the prestigious preseason tournament, having played in the 1997 event, will join a field including Abilene Christian (Southland); Central Michigan (MAC); Colorado State (MWC); Eastern Washington (Big Sky); Elon (Colonial); Fordham (Atlantic 10); Green Bay (Horizon); Little Rock (Sun Belt); Missouri (SEC); Nebraska (Big Ten); North Texas (C-USA); Notre Dame (ACC); Omaha (Summit), UT-Rio Grande Valley (WAC); and Washington (Pac-12).

"The Preseason WNIT field features teams that will be heading into their best years and are primed for a breakthrough," said tournament director Renee Carlson. "It's fantastic to showcase programs that are on the rise and will represent their schools so well in the national spotlight."

"We are very excited to participate in the Presason WNIT, a prestigious tournament whose invitation affirms our program is going in the right direction," said Furman head coach Jackie Carson, who as a sophomore played on a Paladin squad that faced both Alabama and South Carolina in the 1997 Preseason WNIT.

2016 will mark the 23rd year of the Preseason WNIT, which will feature 11 teams that reached either the NCAA or WNIT postseason tournaments this past March.  All games, including the championship and consolation rounds, are hosted by participating schools.

Furman played Auburn in the 2014 Postseason WNIT, part of an 18-13 campaign that saw the Paladins notch their first winning season in a decade and a second place finish in the SoCon under Carson, who recently completed her sixth year as mentor at her alma mater.  The Paladins followed that up with a 19-win campaign and post-season play in 2015, and this past season won 15 games, including notable triumphs over both Richmond and Clemson.

Furman is expected to return three starters from a year ago, led by All-SoCon point guard Whitney Bunn, who averaged 16.1 points per game and paced the team in assists and steals last season.  The rising senior, who already owns Furman's career assist standard, will be joined by rising junior forward Cierra Carter averaged 11.0 points and 8.2 rebounds a year ago — third best in the SoCon.