INDIANAPOLIS — On Sunday night, the lineup for the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) was revealed, featuring notable teams such as Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph’s, James Madison, and Colorado. These four teams were on the brink of securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament but fell just short.
The NCAA established the 32-team WBIT in response to a 2021 independent gender-equity report highlighting enduring inequalities between men’s and women’s postseason athletic opportunities. Through this initiative, the NCAA aims to bridge this gap and provide more equitable opportunities for women’s basketball.
Hinkle Fieldhouse on the Butler University campus will once again host the Final Four of this women’s tournament. The semifinals are set for March 31, with the championship game scheduled for April 2. The earlier rounds, including the first and second rounds and quarterfinals, will take place at various campus locations, providing teams with the chance to compete on familiar grounds.
The Missouri Valley Conference is prominently featured in this tournament, having four representatives: Belmont, Drake, Missouri State, and Northern Iowa. In addition, the event sees representation from the ACC with teams like Boston College and Stanford joining Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, the Big 12 and the Big East boast significant presence with teams such as Arizona, Texas Tech, Marquette, Seton Hall, and Villanova included in the tournament.
