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The selection for the women's NCAA basketball tournament, also known as Women's Selection Sunday or March Madness, usually takes place in March. The 2025 selection show was aired on March 16 at 8 pm ET on ESPN, revealing the 68 teams that would make up the field. The teams are selected through a combination of automatic bids, given to regular-season champions of DI conferences, and at-large selections chosen by the selection committee. The 2025 tournament saw UCLA earn the No. 1 seed for the first time in program history, with South Carolina, Texas, and USC also earning No. 1 seeds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Selection Sunday | 16 March 2025 |
| Time of Selection Sunday | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV Channel | ESPN |
| Number of Teams | 68 |
| First Four Games | 19-20 March 2025 |
| First and Second Round Games | 21-24 March 2025 |
| Sweet 16 and Elite Eight Rounds | 28-31 March 2025 |
| Women's Final Four | 4 April 2025 |
| Championship Game | 6 April 2025 |
| Location of Semifinals and Championship | Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
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What You'll Learn
- The 2025 NCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament bracket was revealed on March 16
- UCLA earned the No. 1 seed for the first time in program history
- The tournament features 68 teams, 31 of which qualified through automatic bids
- The remaining 37 teams are at-large selections, chosen by the WBIT selection committee
- UConn Huskies won the 2025 NCAA DI women's basketball tournament
The 2025 NCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament bracket was revealed on March 16
The selection process for the tournament involved 31 NCAA DI women's basketball teams qualifying automatically, while the remaining 37 teams were chosen as at-large selections. This year, Virginia Tech, James Madison, Saint Joseph's, and Colorado received automatic bids and were among the first four teams out, earning a place in the WBIT with top seeds.
The tournament introduced a new quadrant-based system, mirroring the one used by the men's selection committee. This system measures the quality of wins and losses, impacting the teams' chances of advancing to the 68-team bracket. The top 16 seeds hosted the first weekend of tournament games, including the First Four. The regional semifinals and finals, known as the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, were held at two sites: Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane, Washington, from March 28 to 31.
The 2025 Women's Final Four took place on April 4 and 6 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, with the UConn Huskies claiming the championship title against the South Carolina Gamecocks in a thrilling 82-59 victory. The tournament's expansion to 68 teams for the fourth consecutive year showcases the growing popularity and competitiveness of women's college basketball.
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UCLA earned the No. 1 seed for the first time in program history
The UCLA Women's Basketball team made history in 2025 by earning the No. 1 seed in the NCAA March Madness tournament for the first time in the program's history. The Bruins, led by juniors Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Janiah Barker, dominated the season, winning 23 consecutive games and spending 12 consecutive weeks as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This historic achievement capped off a remarkable season for the Bruins, who also claimed their first conference championship in the Big Ten at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament.
The Bruins' success in the 2024-25 season was built on a strong foundation. They had appeared in seven of the previous eight tournaments, consistently advancing to the Second Round or further. However, this season marked their first conference championship in the Big Ten, showcasing their determination and growth as a team.
The Bruins' outstanding performance earned them the top overall seed in the women's NCAA tournament, alongside powerhouses like South Carolina, USC, and Texas. This achievement was particularly noteworthy as it was the first time in school history that UCLA's women's basketball team had achieved this feat. The Bruins' hard work and dedication paid off, and they were justly rewarded with the top seed.
As the No. 1 seed, UCLA hosted the First and Second Rounds of the tournament, facing off against tough competitors. Their journey towards the Final Four in Tampa, Florida, included a potential rematch against No. 3 seed Louisiana State, who had previously knocked them out of the Sweet 16. The Bruins were determined to avenge their previous loss and make their mark in the tournament.
The 2025 NCAA March Madness tournament marked a significant milestone for the UCLA Women's Basketball program, as they not only achieved the No. 1 seed for the first time but also set their sights on claiming their first national championship since the 1978 AIAW crown.
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The tournament features 68 teams, 31 of which qualified through automatic bids
The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament features 68 teams, with 31 of those gaining automatic entry by winning their conference championships. The remaining 37 teams are selected by the committee, who award them at-large bids. The selection process takes place on Selection Sunday, with the championship bracket and seeds announced on the same day.
The 31 teams that automatically qualify do so by winning their conference tournaments. Each conference receives only one automatic bid, but any number of at-large teams from each conference may be selected by the committee. The at-large teams generally come from the top college basketball conferences, including the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, and SEC.
The selection committee uses a variety of factors to rank teams for the "S-curve", including record, strength of schedule, and the NET in the Division I men's tournament and the RPI in all other championship tournaments. The "S-curve" table displays four teams per row, alternating left-to-right and right-to-left. Teams 1-4 are generally the number one seeds in their regions, with teams 5-8 as number two seeds, and so on.
The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament began on Sunday, March 16, with the championship game taking place on Sunday, April 6. UCLA was the number one overall seed, with South Carolina, Texas, and USC also earning number one seeds.
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The remaining 37 teams are at-large selections, chosen by the WBIT selection committee
The selection process for the women's basketball tournament involves the WBIT selection committee playing a crucial role in choosing the remaining 37 teams from a pool of at-large selections. This process ensures that teams with strong performances during the regular season but falling short of automatic qualification have a chance to participate in the tournament. The WBIT selection committee carefully evaluates these teams based on various criteria, including win-loss records, strength of schedule, and other relevant factors.
The committee's decision-making process is complex and comprehensive. They consider the overall strength of a team, taking into account not just their wins but also the quality of their opponents. Close attention is paid to the team's performance throughout the season, identifying any consistent strengths or weaknesses. The selection committee also assesses the difficulty of each team's schedule, recognizing that some teams may have faced tougher opponents than others.
The role of the WBIT selection committee is vital to ensuring the tournament's competitiveness and fairness. By including at-large selections, the committee can offer opportunities to teams that may have excelled during the regular season but did not secure an automatic bid. This process adds intrigue to the tournament, as it allows for the participation of teams that can contribute to exciting matchups and unexpected outcomes.
The WBIT, the women's equivalent of the second-tier NIT tournament in men's college basketball, has gained recognition for its competitive format. The 2025 WBIT championship, for instance, witnessed No. 2 Minnesota triumph over No. 3 Belmont with a score of 75-63, marking the Golden Gophers' inaugural WBIT title. The WBIT tournament, with its 32 participating teams, showcases the depth of talent and competition in women's college basketball.
The selection process for the women's basketball tournament, with the WBIT selection committee at its core, underscores the importance of providing a platform for deserving teams to showcase their skills and pursue championship aspirations. It reflects the commitment to fostering inclusivity, competitiveness, and the celebration of excellence in women's basketball.
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UConn Huskies won the 2025 NCAA DI women's basketball tournament
The UConn Huskies won the 2025 NCAA DI women's basketball tournament, claiming their 12th national championship title. The Huskies, led by coach Geno Auriemma, dominated the tournament and showcased their exceptional talent and determination throughout the season.
The 2025 tournament witnessed the Huskies' outstanding performance, as they clinched the championship with a decisive victory over South Carolina. The Huskies' journey to the title was filled with thrilling moments and showcased their resilience and skill. Their victory marked the end of a nine-year title drought, with their previous championship win in 2016.
The selection process for the 2025 NCAA DI women's basketball tournament began on Sunday, March 16. The 32-team field was announced, with Virginia Tech, James Madison, Saint Joseph's, and Colorado receiving automatic bids as the first four teams out of the tournament. The remaining teams were selected by the WBIT selection committee, with regular season champions of DI conferences also automatically qualifying if eligible.
The UConn Huskies entered the tournament as a formidable force, having reached the title game only once during their drought since 2016. Their journey to the 2025 championship was marked by determination and exceptional gameplay. The Huskies' roster boasted talented players who contributed significantly to their success.
Led by guard Azzi Fudd, the Huskies showcased their offensive prowess in the national championship game. Fudd's impressive performance, along with the contributions of Sarah Strong and Paige Bueckers, propelled the team to victory. Bueckers, a standout player for the Huskies, capped her illustrious career with the Huskies' championship win, adding to her impressive accolades.
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Frequently asked questions
The selection for the women's basketball tournament takes place on the third Sunday of March, known as "Selection Sunday". The 2025 selection took place on March 16.
The women's NCAA basketball tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994 and now features 68 teams.
The teams are selected by a selection committee. 31 teams automatically qualify after winning their respective conference tournaments, and the remaining 37 teams are selected as at-large teams.
