Full Breakdown
2026 Postseason WNIT: Matchups and Schedule Announced
3/18/2026, 12:01:44 AM
Overview of the 2026 Postseason WNIT
The 2026 Postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) is set to commence with 48 teams competing in its 28th edition, organized by Triple Crown Sports. The tournament will kick off with the first round scheduled from March 19 to March 21, 2026, featuring 16 matchups across various locations.
Key Matchups and Schedule
The first round will include notable games such as Bradley facing George Washington and Binghamton taking on Mercyhurst, both scheduled for March 19 at 6 p.m. ET. Other matchups include Maryland Eastern Shore against Wake Forest and Drexel versus St. Bonaventure, also on March 19. The complete first-round schedule is as follows:
- Bradley (20-12) at George Washington (15-17), 6 p.m.
- Binghamton (19-12) at Mercyhurst (15-16), 6 p.m.
- Maryland Eastern Shore (19-14) at Wake Forest (14-17), 6 p.m.
- Drexel (21-10) at St. Bonaventure (16-15), 6 p.m.
- Lehigh (17-14) at Monmouth (20-11), 6 p.m.
- UTRGV (20-13) at Austin Peay (19-13), 7 p.m.
- NJIT (18-12) at Merrimack (19-12), 7 p.m.
- UMBC (16-14) at Ohio (18-13), 7 p.m.
- Northern Colorado (22-10) at Air Force (16-18), 8:30 p.m.
- UC Davis (23-10) at Pepperdine (19-12), 9 p.m.
- Sam Houston (18-12) at Portland (18-14), 9 p.m.
- Utah Valley (16-14) at San Francisco (18-14), 9 p.m.
- Stetson (20-11) at Florida International (20-11), 7 p.m.
- Morehead State (18-14) at Radford (22-12), 7 p.m.
- Loyola Chicago (14-17) at Norfolk State (18-14), 2 p.m.
- South Alabama (16-18) at Alcorn State (17-13), 4 p.m.
Subsequent rounds will take place from March 22 to April 4, culminating in the championship game scheduled for April 4 at 3 p.m. ET.
Tournament Structure and Teams
The 48-team field includes a mix of automatic qualifiers and at-large selections from various conferences. Notable teams include Montana State (25-7), Florida International (20-11), and Youngstown State (24-9). The tournament aims to showcase the competitive depth of women's college basketball, providing teams with a platform for postseason play outside of the NCAA Tournament.
Official Statements
Sarah Sullivan, the WNIT director, emphasized the tournament's commitment to celebrating the achievements of players and coaches in women's basketball. She stated, "Our longstanding belief has always been that women’s college basketball demanded the respect that comes with a genuine postseason challenge outside the standard tournament."
Conclusion
The 2026 Postseason WNIT promises to deliver an exciting array of matchups and showcase the talent within women's college basketball. With a rich history and a commitment to competitive excellence, the tournament is poised to continue its legacy of providing meaningful postseason opportunities for participating teams.
