Inside the Madness: 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

Is your multi-screen ready? The bracket is set, and 68 teams are preparing for the first round NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The Big Ten Conference is sending a record-tying 12 teams to the Big Dance, which leads all conferences nationwide. The Madness tips off Wednesday. Scroll down for the bracket and the Big Ten's first-round matchups.

No. 1 seed UCLA vs. No. 16 Cal Baptist

The Big Ten Champion Bruins, led by three national positional award finalists , earned the conference's automatic qualifier for the second year in a row after defending their tournament title last weekend. UCLA, who finished undefeated in Big Ten play and with just one loss on the season overall, earned a No. 1 seed and will face Cal Baptist in its opening matchup.

There is no relief on UCLA's roster. Of course, you've got Big Ten Player and Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts, who has been unstoppable in the paint. But even IF you find a way to limit Betts, you've still got All-Big Ten selections Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Angela Dugalić to contend with. The Bruins made their first Final Four appearance last season; expect another deep run in 2026. More from UCLA .

No. 2 seed Iowa vs. No. 15 seed Fairleigh Dickinson

The Hawkeyes will host the first two round of the NCAA Tournament after earning a No. 2 seed behind a 26-6 record and a championship game appearance in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa has multiple top-10 wins this season, but has not played No. 7 seed Georgia, or No. 10 seeds Arizona State and Virginia, who could all await the Hawkeyes in the second round.

The FDU Knights captured back-to-back NEC Titles and has now won 22 consecutive games, which is the third-longest active streak in the country. The Knights' defense holds its opponents to 51.3 points per game; we'll see if it holds up against Hannah Stuelke, Ava Heiden, and the Hawkeyes. More from Iowa City .

No. 2 seed Michigan vs. No. 15 seed Holy Cross

The Wolverines earned the highest NCAA seed in program history after a 25-6 season featuring several ranked wins. They also played two No. 1 seeds in UConn and UCLA, losing by just one possession in each game. It was the Huskies' closest contest all season by far.

First, Michigan faces the Patriot League Champion Holy Cross in Ann Arbor. The Crusaders have won nine straight games and 13 of their last 14 matchups. However, the Crusaders haven't notched a win over a ranked opponent. As long as Olivia Olson and the Wolverines play their game, we'll see them in the second round. More from U of M .

No. 3 seed Ohio State vs. No. 14 seed Howard

Jaloni Cambridge and the Buckeyes will host at least one game of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year after earning a top-four seed for the 17th time in program history. OSU finished with a 26-7 record (13-5 B1G).

Howard, the 2026 MEAC Champion, is led by MEAC Player of the Year Zennia Thomas and Rookie of the Year Ariella Henigan, who combine for nearly 27 points per game. We'll see if they can keep up with OSU's fast pace. Ohio State's stories here .

No. 4 seed Minnesota vs. No. 13 seed Green Bay

The Gophers return to the tournament for the first time since 2018 and host for the first time since 2005. Minnesota finished the season with a 22-8 record and went 13-3 at home, and recorded marquee victories over Iowa and Ohio State.

Green Bay three-peated its Horizon League title to earn yet another bid to the NCAA Tournament despite graduating seven seniors last season. The Pheonix are led by HL Coach of the Year Kayla Karius and Player of the Year Jenna Guyer, and should provide a fun contest against the Gophers. Minnesota's insights here .

No. 5 seed Maryland vs. No. 12 seed Murray State

The Terps earned their 16th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid after posting a 23-8 record, including a 10th-nationally six Quad 1 wins. When Maryland is firing on all cylinders with star guard Oluchi Okananwa, sharpshooter Yarden Garzon, and playmaker Saylor Poffenbarger, it's hard to stop.

The Terps are set to meet Murray State, the Missouri Valley Champion, for the first time ever. The Racers swept the conference's postseason honors, including Halli Poock's Player of the Year nod. The Terps' defense will need to be ready to go; three Racers average over 17 points per game. More from Maryland .

No. 5 seed Michigan State vs. No. 12 seed Colorado State

The Spartans achieved their highest seed since 2016 in their third season under head coach Robyn Fralick. She is the first MSU women's basketball leader to guide the Spartans to the NCAA Tournament in each of their first three seasons.

Michigan State has only played CSU one other time, when the Spartans steamrolled the Rams 72-45 back in 2011. Colorado State has a tough defense that shined in the championship game of the Mountain West Tournament, where it held Air Force to just 42 points. We'll see how it stacks up against Grace VanSlooten and an MSU offense averaging 78.1 points per game. More from MSU .

No. 6 seed Washington vs. No. 11 seed South Dakota State

With six Quad 1 victories and their highest seed since 2017, the Huskies head to Fort Worth, Texas to take on South Dakota State. Washington is 9-6 against the tournament field this season with notable wins over Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, USC, and Oregon.

SDSU won the Summit League's automatic bid after claiming its fourth consecutive tournament title last weekend. The Jackrabbits are led by four all-conference selections, including Brooklyn Meyer, who's averaging 22.4 points per game. If the Huskies can corral Meyer, we could see them in the second round. Preview from UW .

No. 7 seed Illinois vs. No. 10 seed Colorado

The Illini clinched back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 2000 behind a 21-11 record. The 2025-26 season marked the first time in program history that Illinois recorded two consecutive 21 win seasons.

The Big 12's Colorado Buffaloes also earned an at-large bid following a 22-11 season. Berry Wallace and the Illini offense will look to push past a Colorado defense allowing opponents just 60.7 points per game. Illinois' insights here .

No. 8 seed Oregon vs. No. 9 seed Virginia Tech

Ehis Etute, Katie Fiso, and the Oregon Ducks earned their seventh tournament appearance in nine seasons. The Ducks showed strong resolve in the Big Ten Tournament, defeating Maryland en route to a quarterfinal appearance.

"It never gets old hearing your name," said head coach Kelly Graves. "If you've never experienced it, it's pretty special. It really is." The outlook from Oregon .

No. 9 seed USC vs. No. 8 seed Clemson

Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jazzy Davidson and the Trojans face the Clemson Tigers for the first time in program history in South Carolina. It's USC's fourth consecutive tournament appearance under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

"It's the best tournament in all of sports," said Gottlieb. "So just an absolute thrill to be involved and we never take it for granted. I certainly don't. We're excited to play another game." More from USC .

No. 11 seed Nebraska vs. No. 11 seed Richmond

Britt Prince and the Huskers make their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance in the First Four on Wednesday in Durham, N.C.

"We are so excited to be dancing," head coach Amy Williams said. "We have been working hard as coaches and players the past week... and we are so happy to be back in the NCAA Tournament. Now, we have to do our best to put our best basketball game together against an outstanding Richmond team."  The preview from Lincoln .

Badgers Head to WBIT

In addition, Wisconsin Women's Basketball will compete in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), beginning Thursday with a first-round matchup against Oregon State. Illinois and Minnesota won the tournament in its first two years.

Let the Madness Begin

The stage is ready. Who will be the Cinderella story? What team will make the deepest run? Will the Big Ten have a national champion? March Madness brings the kind of basketball that sports fans live for. Come back here for updates, and don't miss a moment of the Big Ten's battles –  Click here  for tournament updates, and tell us who you root for.

Bracket courtesy of NCAA.com.  See the full interactive bracket here .