As the eagerly anticipated Selection Sunday for the NCAA women’s basketball tournament draws near, the selection committee has announced two significant top 16 reveal dates, offering fans a glimpse of the teams in contention on February 15 and February 29.
The full 68-team bracket will be unveiled on Sunday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET, and will be broadcasted live on ESPN. Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating period of March Madness.
The top 16 reveal schedule is as follows, with both events to be broadcasted on ESPN2 in Eastern Standard Time:
– Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m., preceding the South Carolina vs. Tennessee game on ESPN
– Thursday, Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m., preceding the Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech game on ESPN
For the past several years, these initial top 16 reveals have provided basketball fans with an insight into the committee’s criteria for ranking and selection, while also allowing teams to gauge their standing ahead of the much-anticipated March Madness.
Looking back at last year’s initial top 16 reveal on Feb. 8, 2023, it is evident that the teams selected were largely accurate in representing the actual tournament field. With only a few exceptions, the majority of the top 16 teams secured a spot in the tournament. Notably, the 2017-18 Rutgers squad was the sole team from the initial top 16 to miss out on the tournament entirely, and last season’s Kansas State team just made it into the bottom half of the bracket.
In addition to revealing the top 16 teams, the committee will also assign regional placements, with teams being allocated to either Albany, New York or Portland, Oregon. This gives teams an idea of the potential geographical conditions they may face as they prepare for their tournament journey.
As the college basketball community prepares for these exciting events, it is important to note that the reveal schedule is subject to change. It is advisable to stay updated for any adjustments.
It is a momentous time for both the teams and fans as we eagerly await the big reveals and the official start of March Madness. Therefore, it is advisable to mark your calendars and not miss out on these special top 16 reveals along with the highly anticipated Selection Sunday on March 17.