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Women’s Selection Drops Conference Region Rule, Seeds Top 16

7/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The women’s selection committee eliminated the practice of placing top conference teams in separate regions.
Chair Amanda Braun said the committee spent extensive time ordering the top 16 women’s teams, which will be seeded strictly by ranking, regardless of conference, starting in 2027.
The men’s selection committee will continue separating the top four seeds from each conference into different regions.

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Story summary

The women’s selection committee eliminated the practice of placing top conference teams in separate regions.
Chair Amanda Braun said the committee spent extensive time ordering the top 16 women’s teams, which will be seeded strictly by ranking, regardless of conference, starting in 2027.
The men’s selection committee will continue separating the top four seeds from each conference into different regions.