Stanford Women's Basketball Heading to WBIT Tournament

Cardinal women's hoops team earns two-seed after 19-13 regular season

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Stanford women's basketball team was selected to play in the WBIT, the second-biggest postseason tournament in women's college basketball. After going 19-13 overall and 8-10 in the ACC, Stanford earned a two-seed and will host Loyola Marymount in the first round on Thursday, March 19th.

Why it matters

While Stanford would have preferred to make the NCAA tournament, the WBIT provides an opportunity for the young Cardinal squad to gain valuable tournament experience as they look to build momentum heading into next season under head coach Kate Paye.

The details

Stanford will host the first and second round games of the WBIT at home if they advance. The Cardinal lost in the first round of last year's WBIT tournament, so they will be looking to make a deeper run this time around.

  • The WBIT tournament begins on Thursday, March 19th.
  • Stanford's first-round game against Loyola Marymount is set for a 7:00 PM PT tipoff on ESPN+.
  • If Stanford advances, they would face BYU on the road on Thursday, March 26th.

The players

Kate Paye

Head coach of the Stanford women's basketball team, now in her third season.

Loyola Marymount

Stanford's first-round opponent in the WBIT tournament.

BYU

Potential second-round opponent for Stanford in the WBIT tournament.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While they obviously would have liked to have made the NCAA tournament, Stanford has to turn lemons into lemonade and at least make a deep run in this tournament. Given the young roster they have, getting some wins in a tournament setting would do Stanford a lot of good as they look ahead to next season.”

— Ben Parker, Writer

What’s next

If Stanford defeats Loyola Marymount in the first round, they would face the winner of BYU and their opponent in the second round on Thursday, March 26th.

The takeaway

This WBIT tournament represents an important opportunity for Stanford's young women's basketball team to gain valuable postseason experience and build momentum heading into the 2023-24 season, where the pressure will be on head coach Kate Paye to lead the Cardinal back to the NCAA tournament.