The annual women’s NCAA basketball tournament appears set to undergo several changes next year, which could drastically alter its format.
One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the possibility of two teams from the same conference facing off in the second round. This could lead to some intense and unexpected matchups.
The Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament
The popularity of women’s college basketball increases with each passing year, partly due to the exciting annual NCAA tournament that has now run for over four decades.
Next year, it appears set to experience a plethora of changes that could enhance its quality or lead to considerable backlash.
Significant Changes to the Teams
ESPN was amongst the first to report on the changes fans may be set to experience at next year’s tournament.
Firstly, they report that the bracket could change as “the Pac-12 is mostly gone and the ACC (18 teams), Big Ten (18 teams), Big 12 (16 teams) and SEC (16 teams) bigger than ever.” It’s certainly shaping up to be quite the event.
Changes to the Bracket Yet to Be Decided
While the initial announcement has caught the interest of fans across the nation, the NCAA is still unsure how it will format the tournament’s bracket.
Several sports analysts have assumed that, as things stand, there will be around 31 automatic bids and an additional at-large bid.
More Teams Will Take to the Field
According to ESPN’s report on the news, bigger conferences will ultimately ensure that more teams from the individual leagues will eventually take to the field.
However, this will undoubtedly increase the chance that the NCAA committee will be forced to match two teams from the same league against one another as early as the second round.
Some Things Remain the Same
The news of several changes set to reformat the women’s NCAA basketball tournament next year has received mixed views from fans, with many happy with how things were.
According to the ESPN report, those fans will be happy to hear that the NCAA committee hasn’t changed everything, as “the two-regional format remains, with Birmingham and Spokane hosting.”
New Changes Coming This Year
The news of potential changes made to the following year’s tournament in the summer of 2025 comes just a month after the head of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament tried to usher in a separate set of changes a year earlier than planned.
The women’s basketball committee met to discuss whether it was time to change where the first rounds of the tournament took place.
Vice President of Women’s Basketball Agrees With Change
Initially, the NCAA tournament was set to hold its second set of weekend games at two sites after the 2025 championships, as opposed to the traditional four.
However, officials believe this new format should occur this year. Speaking on the proposal, Lynn Holzman, vice president of women’s basketball, said she “believes they have seen enough data about the growth of the sport to consider changes this year.” per ESPN.
New Format Warranted, Says Vice President
“Given the trajectory of success we’ve experienced over the last couple of years, I see no reason to wait to start that review,” Holzman told ESPN on Tuesday afternoon.
“The governance structure has to approve [a review], but that is our task coming out of this championship. I believe that will take place.”
New Format Could Help Avoid Problems
Another potential benefit of the new format could help the organizers of the tournament avoid logistical problems, such as those experienced in the first two rounds of the games hosted by Gonzaga.
A severe lack of hotel space ultimately forced several teams competing in Spokane, Washington, to book their accommodation more than 30 miles from where they were set to compete.
Unfortunate String of Events Frustrates Coaches
Several other minor problems have infuriated several coaches, such as Stanford’s Tara Nanderveer, whose team was forced to play several games with a 3-point line that was over nine inches shorter than it should have been.
“For an error of that magnitude to overshadow what has been an incredible two weekends of basketball featuring sensational teams and incredible individual performances is unacceptable and extremely upsetting,” Vanderveer said in a statement provided to ESPN.
Lack of Resources Not an Issue Says Vice President
According to Holzman, the recent issues are not related to the tournament’s budget but to a series of isolated events.
Nonetheless, Holzman and the wider NCAA basketball community are hopeful that the new changes set to be implemented in the coming years will positively affect the tournament.
