TCU women’s basketball didn’t get its dream Fort Worth path for the NCAA Tournament.

The Horned Frogs received a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday and will host the first two rounds at Schollmaier Arena, but they were placed in the Sacramento regional instead of the one in Fort Worth at Dickies Arena.

TCU had hoped that it wouldn’t have to leave Fort Worth to reach the first Final Four in school history. Despite landing in Sacramento, the Horned Frogs still were appreciative of reaching another NCAA Tournament and hosting the first two rounds in Fort Worth.

“There’s no disappointment. These things, the margin of error is razor-thin,” TCU coach Mark Campbell said. “Dickies was booked four or five years ago and TCU, we weren’t even in consideration that our program would even be at a point to play there. In June that was a goal we chased, and while you chase that, the margin of error is tiny.

“Coming into today I knew it was a 50-50 chance with Sacramento and Fort Worth. At the end of the day, it’s March Madness. I don’t care who we play, where we play. To play in this tournament, you’ve got to be mentally locked in and excited for wherever they put you and against whatever opponent.”

TCU (29-5) will face No. 14 UC San Diego (24-8) in a first-round game Friday at Schollmaier. The time will be announced later.

If TCU advances, it will face the winner of No. 6 Washington (21-10) and No. 11 South Dakota State (27-6) in the second round Sunday, March 22, at Schollmaier.

That margin of error might’ve been just one game. One of the No. 3 seeds to land in Fort Worth was Ohio State, which defeated TCU 71-69 on Jan. 19 in Newark, New Jersey.

The players echoed Campbell’s message about not being disappointed. Big 12 Player of the Year Olivia Miles said the snub could benefit the Horned Frogs.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Miles said. “Who knows, it may be a blessing in disguise for us. Just grateful that we heard our name called, first of all. We’re ready to play anywhere. I’m just excited to be on a hardwood court. That’s all that matters.”

Miles is referring to the glass court the Horned Frogs played on in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Big 12 Tournament. The court went back to hardwood for the men’s tournament semifinals and championship game after numerous complaints.

The Horned Frogs are hoping to bring in a similar crowd as last year when Schollmaier was sold-out for TCU’s second-round win over Louisville. It was arguably the best basketball environment the program has ever had, and a memory that returning guard Donovyn Hunter remembers fondly.

“Anyone that gets a chance to play in March knows the advantage you have playing at your home site,” Hunter said. “The fans, the community they all showed out for us last year. I’m super excited that we were able to do it again. It’s a testament to that work that our team has done to be able to host.”

The Horned Frogs reached the Elite Eight last season in their second year under Campbell. He successfully rebuilt the team this season after the loss of several top players, including Big 12 Player of the Year Hailey Van Lith.

Transfers Miles and Marta Suarez propelled TCU to a repeat Big 12 regular-season championship and will be the key to making a second straight trip to the Sweet 16 and beyond. Suarez is especially eager to get back on the court after the emotional loss to West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament title game.

“I’m excited, so excited, at the opportunity to compete again with these girls,” Suarez said. “To host, to play at home. Our last [home] game [vs. Baylor] was phenomenal. The community showed up in such a tremendous way. I’m excited to live that again.”

Game schedule dates, times, locations March 6 Boston 120, Mavericks 100 March 8 Toronto 122, Mavericks 92 March 10 Atlanta 124, Mavericks 112 March 12 Mavericks 120, Memphis 112 March 13 Cleveland 138, Mavericks 105 March 15 at Cleveland, 2:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV, NBATV March 16 at New Orleans, 7 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV March 18 vs. Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV March 21 vs. L.A. Clippers, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV March 23 vs. Golden State, 8:30 p.m., Peacock, NBC Sports Network Feb. 28 TCU 77, Kansas State 68 March 3 TCU 73, Texas Tech 65 March 7 TCU 73, Cincinnati 63 Big 12 Tournament (at Kansas City, Mo.) March 11 No. 6 TCU 95, No. 14 Oklahoma State 88 (second round) March 12 No. 3 Kansas 78, No. 6 TCU 73 (quarterfinals) NCAA Tournament March 19 vs. No. 9 Ohio State (at Greenville, S.C.), TBD Feb. 25 TCU 83, Cincinnati 70 March 1 TCU 65, Baylor 53 Big 12 Tournament (at Kansas City, Mo.) March 6 No. 1 TCU 63, No. 9 BYU 46 (quarterfinals) March 7 No. 1 TCU 74, No. 12 Kansas State 62 (semifinals) March 8 No. 2 West Virginia 62, No. 1 TCU 53 (championship) NCAA Tournament March 20 or 21 vs. TBD (at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth) March 26 at Philadelphia, 3:15 p.m., TBD March 28 at Philadelphia, 3:05 p.m., TBD March 29 at Philadelphia, 12:35 p.m., TBD March 30 at Baltimore, 5:35 p.m., TBD March 31 at Baltimore, 5:35 p.m., TBD April 1 at Baltimore, 11:35 a.m., TBD March 6 TCU 10, Tulane 2 March 8 Tulane 8, TCU 4 March 8 TCU 4, Tulane 3 (7 innings) March 10 TCU 9, Kansas 4 March 13 TCU 5, Arizona State 4 March 14 Arizona State 15, TCU 8 March 15 at Arizona State, 3 p.m., ESPN+ March 17 vs. New Mexico State, 2 p.m., ESPN+ March 20 vs. Central Florida, 6 p.m., ESPN+ March 21 vs. Central Florida, 5 p.m., ESPN+ March 22 vs. Central Florida, 1 p.m., ESPN+ March 6 Colorado 5, Stars 4 (SO) March 8 Stars 4, Chicago 3 (OT) March 10 Stars 2, Vegas 1 March 12 Stars 7, Edmonton 2 March 14 Stars 3, Detroit 2 (OT) March 16 vs. Utah, 7 p.m., Fox, Victory+ March 18 at Colorado, 8:30 p.m., TNT, HBO Max March 21 at Minnesota, 3 p.m., Victory+ March 22 vs. Vegas, 6 p.m., NHL Network, Victory+ March 24 vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m., KDFI 27, Victory+ 2026 season Aug. 29 vs. North Carolina (at Dublin), TBA Sept. 12 vs. Grambling State, TBA Sept. 19 vs. Arkansas State, TBA Sept. 26 at Central Florida, TBA Oct. 3 vs. BYU, TBA Oct. 17 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 24 vs. West Virginia, TBA Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, TBA Nov. 7 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA Nov. 28 at Texas Tech, TBA 2026 season TBA vs. TBA (at Rio de Janeiro), TBA 2026 opponents (dates and times TBA; one home game will be in Rio) vs. N.Y Giants vs. Philadelphia vs. Washington vs. Arizona vs. San Francisco vs. Tampa Bay vs. Jacksonville vs. Tennessee vs. Baltimore at N.Y Giants at Philadelphia at Washington at L.A. Rams at Seattle at Green Bay at Houston at Indianapolis Feb. 21 FC Dallas 3, Toronto 2 Feb. 28 FC Dallas 0, Nashville 0 March 7 LAFC 1, FC Dallas 0 March 14 FC Dallas 3, San Diego 3 March 21 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV April 4 at D.C. United, 6:30 p.m., Apple TV April 11 vs. St. Louis, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV April 18 vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV April 22 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV March 20-21 POWRi Racing March 28 Mopar Heaven April 11 NASCAR Racing Experience April 18 Team Texas-David Starr’s Racing School April 18 Bubble Run April 23-25 Pate Swap Meet April 25 FuelFest April 30-May 2 High Limit Racing Stockyard Stampede May 1 NASCAR Truck Series: SpeedyCash.com 250 May 2 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 May 3 NASCAR Cup Series: Wurth 400

This story was originally published March 15, 2026 at 7:41 PM.

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