Oklahoma Women's Basketball to Host NCAA Tournament Rounds

Sooners earn top-16 seed, will host first and second rounds at Lloyd Noble Center

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:25pm

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The Oklahoma women's basketball team has secured a top-16 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will host the first and second rounds at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. This marks the third time in five seasons under head coach Jennie Baranczyk that the Sooners have earned a top-16 seed and hosting privileges.

Why it matters

Hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament provides a significant advantage for Oklahoma, offering home-court support and minimizing travel for the team during a critical phase of the tournament. The Sooners have made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances, with 24 coming since 2000, and have reached the Final Four three times.

The details

Oklahoma's current record is 24-7 overall. The team is led by All-SEC selections Raegan Beers and Aaliyah Chavez, with Chavez being named ESPN's National Freshman of the Year. Under Baranczyk, the Sooners have earned a top-five seed in the NCAA Tournament in each of the last five seasons, tying a program record.

  • The NCAA selection committee announced its top 16 teams on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • The full bracket, including seeds and matchups, will be revealed on Sunday, March 16, 2026, at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
  • The 2026 championship will be the fifth NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament to feature a 68-team field.
  • First Four games are scheduled for March 18-19, 2026, at select top-16 host sites.
  • The Women's Final Four is set for April 3 and 5, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The players

Jennie Baranczyk

The fifth-year head coach of the Oklahoma women's basketball team.

Raegan Beers

An All-SEC selection for the Oklahoma women's basketball team.

Aaliyah Chavez

An All-SEC selection and ESPN's National Freshman of the Year for the Oklahoma women's basketball team.

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What’s next

Should Oklahoma advance, regional play will take place at either Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, or Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, from March 27-30.

The takeaway

Oklahoma women's basketball has established itself as a consistent contender in the NCAA Tournament, earning top-16 seeds and hosting privileges in three of the last five seasons under Coach Baranczyk. The Sooners' success highlights the program's ability to develop top talent and compete at the highest level of women's college basketball.