Gophers earn top-16 seed to return home for first time
Minnesota Golden Gopher women's basketball has secured its spot as one of the 32 teams hosting opening rounds, earning an NCAA Tournament berth after missing out on such opportunities since roughly two decades ago. The team was selected to host both first and second-round games in their home arena at Williams Arena following a selection process that announced top-16 seeds ahead of Selection Sunday for only this year's cycle.
Key Points
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1The Gophers women's basketball team has earned a top-16 seed for their first time in nearly ten years.
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2University of Minnesota officials confirmed that Williams Arena will host the tournament's opening two rounds at home this season.
Developments
Perspectives
The Gophers women's basketball team is heading to their first tournament in nearly a decade as one of 16 top seeds.
— (Mprnews)This marks the second time Minnesota has hosted NCAA regional games, having done so for men and women previously before this historic return since last year when they were announced ahead of Selection Sunday
— (Startribune)"Before leaving... a trio was asked whether their school had deliberately cleared next weekend's Williams Arena schedule. They did not." This highlights the surprise element regarding how much time and effort went into securing this opportunity.
— (Brainerddispatch)The University of Minnesota women's basketball program has been selected as a host for the first two rounds (Round One) at Williams Arena on March 23-26 in front of their home crowd, marking its return to hosting since 2018. The Gophers will learn their specific seed and opponent during Selection Sunday before competing against other Big Ten teams that were also chosen as hosts for the first two rounds this year's NCAA tournament bracket is being announced on Saturday March
The University of Mankato cleared Williams Arena for a top-4 seed to host first-and-second-round games at their home venue during March Madness, despite pushing back the state boys' tournament and facing skepticism from local fans. The Gophers earned this hosting opportunity by finishing fourth in an expected 12-team Big Ten field after winning two conference tournaments against rivals that had previously defeated them on campus earlier in the season.
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team has been selected to host a regional in the 2019-24 season for its return to an NCAA tournament after missing it since 2018, marking their first time hosting such games as well. The Gophers will learn their specific seed and four-team pod on Sunday night at Williams Arena during Selection Day festivities following Saturday's announcement by the Division I Women's Basketball Committee.
The Division I Women's Basketball Committee announced that the University of Minnesota will host six teams in both rounds at Williams Arena. The full tournament bracket, including specific matchups and dates for all schools involved, is scheduled to be revealed on Sunday evening via ESPN.