Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:21am
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The Texas Tech women’s basketball team will face Villanova in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This marks the Lady Raiders’ first appearance in the Big Dance since 2013, when they lost in the first round as a 7-seed.
Why it matters
Texas Tech’s return to the NCAA Tournament after a 13-year drought is a significant milestone for the program, which is looking to rebuild its reputation as a women’s basketball powerhouse in the Big 12 Conference.
The details
The Lady Raiders will take on Villanova in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Texas Tech last made the tournament in 2013, when they lost 71-70 to 10-seed South Florida in the opening round as a 7-seed.
The 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament will take place in March 2026.Texas Tech last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
The players
Texas Tech Lady Raiders
The women’s basketball team of Texas Tech University, a member of the Big 12 Conference.
Villanova Wildcats
The women’s basketball team of Villanova University, a member of the Big East Conference.
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What’s next
The winner of the Texas Tech-Villanova matchup will advance to face the winner of the 1-seed vs. 16-seed game in the next round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
Texas Tech’s return to the NCAA Tournament after a long drought is a testament to the program’s resilience and the hard work of its coaches and players to rebuild the team into a competitive force in the Big 12 once again.