For the first time in three years, Villanova women’s basketball is set to return to the March Madness tournament
The Wildcats (25-7, 16-4 Big East) hosted a viewing party at the Finneran Pavilion where they learned they were the No. 10 seed in the Sacramento 2 Region.
They are set to face the No. 7 seed Texas Tech (25-7, 12-6 Big 12) on Friday, March 20 in Baton Rouge, LA. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. EDT.
“It was a goal that we set from the start of the season,” sophomore guard Jasmine Boscoe said. “No matter where we’re sent, we’re always going to work our hardest, play our hardest, and obviously we’re super excited, but it’s still serious. It’s a business trip, so we have to be ready when we get there.”
The teams share identical season records. However, in comparison to Texas Tech, Villanova holds four more wins and two fewer defeats in conference play.
Half of Villanova’s losses in conference play came from battles against the undefeated No. 1 seed, the University of Connecticut (34-0, 20-0 Big East).
During Villanova’s last run at March Madness, the Wildcats advanced all the way to the sweet 16 in 2023. Led by women’s basketball legend Maddy Siegrist, it was the program’s deepest run in the tournament since 2003.
In a new era of Villanova women’s basketball, hopes are high to see what the ‘Cats can do at the big dance.
“It feels different,” head coach Denise Dillon said about comparing this year’s Selection Sunday to years prior. “I’m fortunate to be able to have experienced it in different aspects and different timeframes, but for them this is new, and we’re ready to get on the road.”
Villanova will rely on its combination of veteran leadership and young talent as it takes on the tournament.
“Being a senior, and then with our underclassmen, I think it’s so fun that we get to do this all together,” senior forward Dane Carter said about the excitement of the NCAA tournament. “We pour into each other so much that this is as important to them as it is to me.”
The 2026 tournament marks the first time in 13 years that Texas Tech will make an appearance in the March Madness tournament.
During the Lady Raiders’ last appearance in 2013, they fell short to South Florida, 71-70, in the first round of the tournament.
Villanova’s bracket also includes No. 2 Louisiana State University (27-5, 12-4 SEC) and No. 15 Jacksonville University (24-8, 13-5 Atlantic Sun).
Should Villanova beat Texas Tech, it will advance to the Round of 32 and take on the winner of the LSU/Jacksonville game.
