CHAMPAIGN -- The Illinois women's basketball team will open the WNIT at Western Kentucky on Friday, the tourney announced late Monday.
The Hilltoppers (21-10) went 14-4 in the Sun Belt Conference, which earlier Monday put two teams (Middle Tennessee, Arkansas-Little Rock) in the NCAA tournament. Friday's winner will advance to face the winner of Thursday's game between Eastern Illinois and Marquette in the 64-team field. The site for that game has not been announced.
Illinois faced Marquette in the 2006 and 2008 WNITs, losing both. The Golden Eagles beat Illinois 65-55 in Champaign on Dec. 9.
Illinois defeated Western Kentucky in the 2002 WNIT.
Four other Big Ten teams - Purdue, Penn State, Northwestern and Michigan - are in the WNIT field.

Dittman honored. Illinois' Matt Dittman was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week on Monday after hitting .615 in his team's weekend trip. Dittman scored seven runs and drove in five.

Another award for Mori. Illinois gymnast Yoshi Mori was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the fourth time on Monday. Mori posted a 15.850 on vault to win his second title of the season in a meet against Michigan.

Guerra to play for Puerto Rico. Illini midfielder Jackie Guerra will play for the Puerto Rico national team this week in the qualifying rounds for the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup.
Puerto Rico will play three matches as part of Group B, starting with Dominica on Wednesday. Next is Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, followed by St. Kitts and Nevis on Sunday. Puerto Rico must finish in the top two in Group B to advance to the second round of Women's Gold Cup qualifying.