No WNIT for Cowgirls

How realistic were the chances that the Cowgirls could squeeze in the Women's National Invitation Tournament?

Evidently, not realistic enough.

The Cowgirls were left out of the 48-team field that was announced on Monday night. New Mexico was the lone Mountain West team to be named to the tournament. Three league teams -- Utah, San Diego State and TCU -- were named Monday night to the NCAA Tournament.

The Cowgirls had hoped that their previous success (winning the WNIT title two years ago) and their ability to draw big crowds could give them a shot at postseason play.

But at 16-14, their record wasn't quite good enough. Unlike the men's field, the NCAA and WNIT are all she wrote.

The WNIT takes one automatic qualifier from each of the 31 leagues and then adds 17 at-large teams. New Mexico was the automatic qualifier, as the fourth best team in the league.

Could Wyoming, the fifth best, get consideration?

I'd say yes, but not quite enough. The opening-round loss to Colorado State in the MWC tournament proved to be a killer. At 17-14, the chances would have improved. Two more wins and it would have been highly likely..

Regardless, it was a successful season for the Cowgirls, who were just coming off of their best season in history, losing four senior starters and their top returning scorer to illness. A young team battled at times this season, but could not play with enough consistency to get over the hump.

Wyoming coach Joe Legerski can be proud of his young team this year and officially close the book on 2008-2009 and look ahead to 2009-2010.

There's plenty to look forward to.

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