Story perspectives

ACC Sets Record with Nine Teams in 2026 NCAA Tournament

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Nine teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) have been selected for the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, surpassing the previous record of eight teams.
Notable matchups include No. 10 Virginia against No. 10 Arizona State and No. 9 Syracuse facing No. 8 Iowa State.
Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina will host first-round games.
West Virginia, a No. 4 seed, will host No. 13 Miami (Ohio) after winning the Big 12 Championship.
Virginia returns to the tournament for the first time since 2018 under new head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament began in 1982, expanding to 32 teams amid competition with the AIAW for women's collegiate sports governance. This growth allowed programs like North Carolina and Duke to thrive, enhancing the ACC's reputation. The selection of nine ACC teams for the 2026 tournament underscores the ongoing evolution and increasing visibility of women's sports in the U.S.

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Story summary

Nine teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) have been selected for the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, surpassing the previous record of eight teams.
Notable matchups include No. 10 Virginia against No. 10 Arizona State and No. 9 Syracuse facing No. 8 Iowa State.
Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina will host first-round games.
West Virginia, a No. 4 seed, will host No. 13 Miami (Ohio) after winning the Big 12 Championship.
Virginia returns to the tournament for the first time since 2018 under new head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

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