NCAA committee reveals preliminary top 20 women’s basketball teams and seeds
The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee met this week in Indianapolis to identify the top-20 teams as of February 11. The list includes institutions that are a possible top-20 seed so that they can begin preparations to host first- and second-round play. If the season ended today, Connecticut, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Tennessee would be the top four seeds for the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.
It is the first time the NCAA has ever announced preliminary seedings before the final bracket. The organization maintains that the list top has no bearing on the final bracket, which will be released on Selection Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
“There were several reasons for [Wednesday’s] unprecedented announcement,” said Dru Hancock, chair of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and senior associate commissioner of the Big 12 Conference. “It’s important to keep in mind that [Wednesday’s] announcement has no bearing on the final bracket, but we were able to identify those institutions that are a possible top-20 seed so that they can begin preparations to host first- and second-round play, while also building momentum towards the upcoming championship.”
The 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will utilize a hosting model that will allow the top-16 seeds, who meet championship hosting requirements, to host first- and second-round games on March 20-23. Regional championship play will take place at predetermined neutral sites: Albany, New York; Greensboro, North Carolina; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Spokane, Washington from March 27-30. The 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four will be held April 5 and 7 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida.
“The committee believes that the format for the 2015 championship will provide student-athletes with a great championship experience and produce improved attendance,” Hancock said. “There is much basketball still to be played, with the committee having already spent an incredible amount of time watching games, evaluating teams and reviewing data. We are in a great place heading into March and are anxious to see how the rest of the regular season and conference tournaments play out.”
| TOP 20 SEED LIST | ||
|---|---|---|
| Team | Conference | Record |
| Arizona State | Pac-12 | 21-3 |
| Baylor | Big 12 | 22-1 |
| California | Pac-12 | 18-5 |
| Duke | Atlantic Coast | 18-6 |
| Florida State | Atlantic Coast | 22-2 |
| George Washington | Atlantic 10 | 21-2 |
| Iowa | Big Ten | 19-4 |
| Kentucky | Southeastern | 18-5 |
| Louisville | Atlantic Coast | 20-3 |
| Maryland | Big Ten | 22-2 |
| North Carolina | Atlantic Coast | 19-5 |
| Notre Dame | Atlantic Coast | 23-2 |
| Oklahoma | Big 12 | 15-7 |
| Oregon State | Pac-12 | 21-2 |
| South Carolina | Southeastern | 22-1 |
| Stanford | Pac-12 | 17-7 |
| Tennessee | Southeastern | 20-3 |
| Texas A&M | Southeastern | 18-6 |
| UConn | American Athletic | 23-1 |
| Washington | Pac-12 | 18-6 |
| Note: Teams are listed alphabetical. Records as of Feb. 11. | ||
