The Division III Women's Basketball Committee reviewed selection criteria and bracket rotation during its annual meeting April 24-27 in Indianapolis.

Both agenda topics were discussed at length at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Convention in March, though few written proposals or recommendations were forwarded to the women's basketball committee.

During its review of selection criteria, the committee developed a recommendation to the Division III Championships Committee that the third set of selection criteria analyzed by the committee be results against teams already in the tournament. Last season, the third set of criteria was a minimum .500 won-lost record and was evaluated only after the committee had considered (1) winning percentage, head-to-head results and results against common opponents; and (2) strength-of-schedule as demonstrated by regional opponents' winning percentage.

Also regarding selection criteria, the committee clarified the process used when two teams have what the committee believes to be equal primary selection criteria as listed above by recommending the following language be added to the championship handbook: "If the analysis of the primary criteria doesn't result in a decision by the committee, the remainder of the institution's schedule (for example, Division I, II, out of region, NAIA and provisional games) may be evaluated." This also will be forwarded to the Championships Committee for approval.

The committee also discussed regional pairings and geographic proximity when placing teams in the bracket. Although no changes are being suggested to the Championships Committee at this time, the Division III Women's Basketball Committee will monitor past match-ups to avoid repetitive pairings when possible.

In other action, the committee:

* Recommended that the Division III Women's Basketball Championship return to Western Connecticut State University for the third consecutive year in 2001. The committee will be soliciting bids in June for the 2002 site. Multiyear bids are encouraged, and bid proposals will be due to the national office by mid-August.

* Recommended to the Championships Committee that the Commonwealth Coast Conference be moved from the Atlantic to Northeast region for 2000-01.

* Asked the Championships Committee to support that language be incorporated in distributed materials to strongly recommend that conferences complete tournament play by the Saturday before Sunday selections. This would give the committee more information to make selection decisions.

* Recommended that Sue Lauder, athletics director at Fitchburg State College, be the committee's chair beginning in September.

* Recommended that the Championships Committee increase the official travel party from 18 to 23.