SEC tabs Jacksonville to host '16 women's tourney

By foxsports
Published

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Southeastern Conference will play its 2016 women's basketball tournament in Jacksonville.

It will be the first time the Sunshine State has hosted the event.

The league previously awarded the tournament to North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2015 and Nashville, Tennessee, in 2018, 2022 and 2026.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive says, ''We look forward to showcasing our women's basketball programs in the Sunshine State for the first time. Our student-athletes, coaches and current fans will greatly enjoy their visit and the exciting games will forge new fans of SEC women's basketball in the process.''

The 2016 tournament will be played at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, a 15,000-seat, multi-purpose arena.

Jacksonville also will host a women's basketball tournament involving two SEC teams in November 2015. Details will be released later.