Georgia Tech women won’t play in WNIT

Georgia Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph looks on against Notre Dame Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 90-50.

Credit: Robert Franklin

Credit: Robert Franklin

Georgia Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph looks on against Notre Dame Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 90-50.

The Georgia Tech women’s basketball team will not participate in the WNIT after not receiving an at-large NCAA tournament bid.

The team met with the athletic administration after its return to campus following its March 7 loss to North Carolina in the ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C., and the decision was made to not accept a spot in the 64-team WNIT if it didn’t get into the NCAA tournament, according to an athletic department spokesman. The decision was first reported by ESPN Monday.

As the ACC team that finished highest in the conference standings without receiving an NCAA tournament bid, the Yellow Jackets had an automatic berth into the WNIT.

Tech coach MaChelle Joseph remains on leave due to a personnel matter. The school placed her on leave Feb. 27. Assistant coach Mark Simons served as acting coach for the team’s two regular-season games and the one postseason game.

The Yellow Jackets (17-13) had participated in the WNIT each of the past four seasons after its last NCAA appearance in 2014.