2018 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament
File:2018 Women's Final Four logo.jpg | |||||
Season | 2017–18 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 64 | ||||
Finals site | Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio | ||||
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The 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament will be played between March and April 2018, with the Final Four played Friday, March 30 and Sunday, April 1. The Final Four will be played at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.[1] This is the third time that the women's Final Four will be played in Ohio (previously, Cincinnati in 1997 and Cleveland in 2007) and the first time that the women's Final Four will be played in Columbus.[2] Tennessee continued its record streak of making every NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at 37 consecutive appearances.
2018 NCAA Tournament schedule and venues
The first two rounds, also referred to as the subregionals, will be played at the sites of the top 16 seeds, as was done in 2016 and 2017. The following are the sites selected to host the last four rounds of the 2018 tournament.[3][4][5]
Subregionals (First and Second Rounds)
- March 16–18
- KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky (Host: University of Louisville)
- Thompson–Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee (Host: University of Tennessee)
- Reed Arena, College Station, Texas (Host: Texas A&M University)
- Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina (Host: North Carolina State University)
- Edmund P. Joyce Center, Notre Dame, Indiana (Host: University of Notre Dame)
- Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina (Host: University of South Carolina)
- Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Oregon (Host: University of Oregon)
- Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas, (Host: Baylor University)
- March 17–19
- Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Connecticut (Host: University of Connecticut)
- Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, Georgia (Host: University of Georgia)
- St. John Arena, Columbus, Ohio, (Host: Ohio State University)
- Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, Tallahassee, Florida (Host: Florida State University)
- Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi (Host: Mississippi State University)
- Maples Pavilion, Stanford, California (Host: Stanford University)
- Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, California (Host: University of California, Los Angeles)
- Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas (Host: University of Texas at Austin)
Regional Semifinals and Finals (Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight)
- March 23–25
- Kansas City Regional, Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri (Host: Big 12)
- Lexington Regional, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky (Host: University of Kentucky)
- March 24–26
- Albany Regional, Times Union Center, Albany, New York (Hosts: MAAC)
- Spokane Regional, Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, Washington (Host: University of Idaho)
National Semifinals and Championship (Final Four and Championship)
- March 30 and April 1
Subregionals Tournament and automatic qualifiers procedures
Selections for the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will be announced at 7 p.m. Eastern time, Monday, March 12 via ESPN.
The basis for the subregionals returned to the approach used between 1982 and 2002; the top sixteen teams, as chosen in the bracket selection process, hosted the first two rounds on campus.
A total of 64 teams entered the 2018 tournament. 32 automatic bids teams were given to teams that won their conference tournament. The remaining 32 teams were granted "at-large" bids, which were extended by the NCAA Selection Committee.
The Selection Committee also seeded the entire field from 1 to 64.
Automatic qualifiers
The following teams automatically qualified for the 2018 NCAA field by virtue of winning their conference's tournament.
Tournament seeds
Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Connecticut | American | 32–0 | Automatic |
2 | South Carolina | SEC | 26–6 | Automatic |
3 | Florida State | ACC | 25–6 | At-large |
4 | Georgia | SEC | 25–6 | At-Large |
5 | Duke | ACC | 22–8 | At-Large |
6 | South Florida | American | 26–7 | At-Large |
7 | California | Pac-12 | 21–10 | At-Large |
8 | Miami (FL) | ACC | 21–10 | At-Large |
9 | Quinnipiac | MAAC | 27–5 | Automatic |
10 | Virginia | ACC | 18–13 | At-Large |
11 | Buffalo | Mid-American | 27–5 | At-Large |
12 | Belmont | Ohio Valley | 31–3 | Automatic |
13 | Mercer | Southern | 30–2 | Automatic |
14 | Little Rock | Sun Belt | 23–9 | Automatic |
15 | North Carolina A&T | MEAC | 23–8 | Automatic |
16 | Saint Francis (PA) | Northeast | 24–9 | Automatic |
Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mississippi State | SEC | 32–1 | At-Large |
2 | Texas | Big 12 | 26–6 | At-Large |
3 | UCLA | Pac-12 | 24–7 | At-Large |
4 | NC State | ACC | 24–8 | At-Large |
5 | Maryland | Big Ten | 25–7 | At-Large |
6 | Iowa | Big Ten | 24–7 | At-Large |
7 | Arizona State | Pac-12 | 21–12 | At-Large |
8 | Syracuse | ACC | 22–8 | At-Large |
9 | Oklahoma State | Big 12 | 20–10 | At-Large |
10 | Nebraska | Big Ten | 21–10 | At-Large |
11 | Creighton | Big East | 18–12 | At-Large |
12 | Princeton | Ivy League | 24–5 | Automatic |
13 | Elon | Colonial | 25–7 | Automatic |
14 | American | Patriot | 26–6 | Automatic |
15 | Maine | America East | 23–9 | Automatic |
16 | Nicholls State | Southland | 19–13 | Automatic |
Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Louisville | ACC | 32–2 | Automatic |
2 | Baylor | Big 12 | 31–1 | Automatic |
3 | Tennessee | SEC | 24–7 | At-Large |
4 | Stanford | Pac-12 | 22–10 | At-Large |
5 | Missouri | SEC | 24–7 | At-Large |
6 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | 23–7 | At-Large |
7 | Michigan | Big Ten | 22–9 | At-Large |
8 | Marquette | Big East | 23–9 | At-Large |
9 | Dayton | Atlantic 10 | 23–6 | At-Large |
10 | Northern Colorado | Big Sky | 26–6 | Automatic |
11 | Western Kentucky | C-USA | 24–8 | Automatic |
12 | Florida Gulf Coast | Atlantic Sun | 30–4 | Automatic |
13 | Gonzaga | West Coast | 27–5 | Automatic |
14 | Liberty | Big South | 24–9 | Automatic |
15 | Grambling State | SWAC | 19–13 | Automatic |
16 | Boise State | Mountain West | 23–9 | Automatic |
Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Notre Dame | ACC | 29–3 | At-Large |
2 | Oregon | Pac-12 | 30–4 | Automatic |
3 | Ohio State | Big Ten | 27–6 | Automatic |
4 | Texas A&M | SEC | 24–9 | At-Large |
5 | DePaul | Big East | 26–7 | Automatic |
6 | LSU | SEC | 19–9 | At-Large |
7 | Green Bay | Horizon | 29–3 | Automatic |
8 | South Dakota State | Summit | 26–6 | Automatic |
9 | Villanova | Big East | 22–8 | At-Large |
10 | Minnesota | Big Ten | 23–8 | At-Large |
11 | Central Michigan | Mid-American | 28–4 | Automatic |
12 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | 16–14 | At-Large |
13 | Drake | Missouri Valley | 26–7 | Automatic |
14 | George Washington | Atlantic 10 | 19–13 | Automatic |
15 | Seattle | WAC | 18–14 | Automatic |
16 | Cal State Northridge | Big West | 19–15 | Automatic |
Bracket
All times are listed as Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)
* – Denotes overtime period
Albany Regional – Albany, New York
First Round Round of 64 March 16–17 | Second Round Round of 32 March 18–19 | Regional Semifinals Sweet 16 March 24 | Regional Final Elite 8 March 26 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Connecticut | 11:00 AM | |||||||||||||||||
16 | St. Francis (PA) | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Storrs, Connecticut (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | Miami | 1:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Quinnipiac | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Duke | 11:00 AM | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Belmont | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Athens, Georgia (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Georgia | 1:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Mercer | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | South Florida | 1:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Buffalo | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Tallahassee, Florida (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Florida State | 11:00 AM | |||||||||||||||||
14 | Little Rock | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | California | 5:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Virginia | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Columbia, South Carolina (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | South Carolina | 7:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
15 | North Carolina A&T | ESPN2 |
Albany Regional Final
Monday, March 26
|
Times Union Center – Albany, New York
|
Albany Regional all tournament team
Kansas City Regional – Kansas City, Missouri
First Round Round of 64 March 16–17 | Second Round Round of 32 March 18–19 | Regional Semifinals Sweet 16 March 23 | Regional Final Elite 8 March 25 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Mississippi State | 6:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
16 | Nicholls State | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Starkville, Mississippi (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | Syracuse | 3:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Oklahoma State | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Maryland | 12:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Princeton | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Raleigh, North Carolina (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | NC State | 2:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Elon | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Iowa | 3:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Creighton | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Los Angeles, California (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | UCLA | 6:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
14 | American | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Arizona State | 3:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Nebraska | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Austin, Texas (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Texas | 6:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
15 | Maine | ESPN2 |
Kansas City Regional Final
Sunday, March 25
|
Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO
|
Kansas City Regional all tournament team
Lexington Regional – Lexington, Kentucky
First Round Round of 64 March 16–17 | Second Round Round of 32 March 18–19 | Regional Semifinals Sweet 16 March 23 | Regional Final Elite 8 March 25 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Louisville | 12:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
16 | Boise State | ESPN | |||||||||||||||||
Louisville, Kentucky (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | Marquette | 2:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Dayton | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Missouri | 3:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Florida Gulf Coast | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Stanford, California (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Stanford | 6:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Gonzaga | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | Oregon State | 12:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Western Kentucky | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Knoxville, Tennessee (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Tennessee | 2:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
14 | Liberty | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Michigan | 5:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Northern Colorado | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Waco, Texas (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Baylor | 7:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
15 | Grambling State | ESPN2 |
Lexington Regional Final
Sunday, March 25
|
Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY
|
Lexington Regional all tournament team
Spokane Regional – Spokane, Washington
First Round Round of 64 March 16–17 | Second Round Round of 32 March 18–19 | Regional Semifinals Sweet 16 March 24 | Regional Final Elite 8 March 26 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Notre Dame | 5:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
16 | Cal State Northridge | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Notre Dame, Indiana (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | South Dakota State | 7:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
9 | Villanova | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
5 | DePaul | 12:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
12 | Oklahoma | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
College Station, Texas (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | Texas A&M | 2:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
13 | Drake | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | LSU | 11:00 AM | |||||||||||||||||
11 | Central Michigan | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Columbus, Ohio (Sat/Mon) | |||||||||||||||||||
3 | Ohio State | 1:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
14 | George Washington | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
7 | Green Bay | 5:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||
10 | Minnesota | ESPN2 | |||||||||||||||||
Eugene, Oregon (Fri/Sun) | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | Oregon | 7:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||
15 | Seattle | ESPN2 |
Spokane Regional Final
Monday, March 26
|
Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena – Spokane, WA
|
Spokane Regional all tournament team
Final Four
During the Final Four round, regardless of the seeds of the participating teams, the champion of the top overall top seed's region (Connecticut's Albany Region) plays against the champion of the fourth-ranked top seed's region (Notre Dame's Spokane Region), and the champion of the second overall top seed's region (Mississippi State's Kansas City Region) plays against the champion of the third-ranked top seed's region (Louisville's Lexington Region).
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
National Semifinals
March 30 | National Championship Game
April 1 | ||||||||
A | Albany Champion | ||||||||
S | Spokane Champion | ESPN2 | |||||||
ESPN2 | |||||||||
KC | Kansas City Champion | ||||||||
L | Lexington Champion | ESPN2 |
Final Four
ESPN2
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Friday, March 30
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Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
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ESPN2
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Friday, March 30
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Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
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National Championship
ESPN
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Sunday, April 1
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Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
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Record by conference (multiple bids only)
Conference | Bids | Record | Win % | R64 | R32 | S16 | E8 | F4 | CG | NC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACC | 8 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
SEC | 7 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
Big Ten | 6 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
Pac-12 | 6 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
Big 12 | 4 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
Big East | 4 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
American | 2 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
Atlantic 10 | 2 | 0–0 | – | |||||||
Mid-American | 2 | 0–0 | – |
- The R64, R32, S16, E8, F4, CG, and NC columns indicate how many teams from each conference were in the round of 64 (first round), round of 32 (second round), Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, championship game, and national champion, respectively.
- The America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Conference USA, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy League, MAAC, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Summit, Sun Belt, SWAC, WAC and West Coast conferences each had one representative.
Media coverage
Television
ESPN has US television rights to all games during the tournament.[6] For the first and second round, ESPN will air select games nationally on ESPN2, ESPNU, or ESPNews. All other games will air regionally on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPN3 and will be streamed online via WatchESPN. Most of the nation will get whip-a-round coverage during this time, which allows ESPN to rotate between the games and focus the nation on the game that has the closest score. Additional coverage will be announced after the tournament field has been announced.
Studio host and analysts
- Maria Taylor (Host)
- Andy Landers (Analyst)
- Rebecca Lobo (Analyst) (First & Second Rounds)
- Nell Fortner (Analyst) (Regionals)
Broadcast assignments
First & Second Rounds Friday/Sunday
Sweet Sixteen & Elite Eight Friday/Sunday
Final Four
|
First & Second Rounds Saturday/Monday
Sweet Sixteen & Elite Eight Saturday/Monday
Championship
|
Radio
Westwood One has exclusive radio rights to the entire tournament.[7][8] Teams participating in the Regional Finals, Final Four, and Championship are allowed to have their own local broadcasts, but they aren't allowed to stream those broadcasts online.
Regional Finals Sunday
Final Four
|
Regional Finals Monday
Championship
|
See also
- 2018 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 Women's National Invitation Tournament
- 2018 National Invitation Tournament
- 2018 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament
- 2018 Women's Basketball Invitational
- 2018 College Basketball Invitational
- 2018 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
References
- ^ a b "Women's basketball: Columbus to host Final Four in 2018". Buckeye Xtra Sports. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ a b "Women's Final Four sites for 2017-20 includes record fourth for New Orleans". NCAA.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "2016-18 regional hosts". NCAA.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "Big 12 To Host 2016 and 2018 NCAA Women's Basketball Regionals". Big12Sports.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
- ^ "Broadcast Info". NCAA.com. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ Margolis, Rachel (December 15, 2011). "ESPN and NCAA® Extend Rights Agreement through 2023–24". ESPN. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ^ "NCAA, Westwood One extend deal". NCAA. January 13, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ "WO Sports to Air NCAA Women's Basketball". Radio Online. March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.