Wisconsin Women's Basketball Faces Columbia in WBIT Semifinal

Badgers look to advance to championship game with strong defense and fast start

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:20am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a women's basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and red, conveying the intensity and competitive spirit of the semifinal matchup.Wisconsin and Columbia battle for a spot in the WBIT championship game, with the winner advancing to compete for the tournament title.Wichita Today

The Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball team has reached the semifinal of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) after a turbulent regular season. They will face off against the 23-8 Columbia Lions, a team known for its stifling defense. The Badgers will need to overcome Columbia's defensive prowess and avoid a slow start to have a chance at advancing to the championship game.

Why it matters

After a disappointing regular season that saw the Badgers lose their last 10 games, this WBIT run has been a chance for the team to redeem itself and end the year on a high note. Reaching the tournament final would be a major accomplishment, especially against a tough Columbia squad.

The details

Wisconsin has already traveled to Oregon and Florida in this tournament, showing its ability to win on the road. However, Columbia has been dominant defensively, holding opponents to 60 points or fewer in 15 games this season. The Badgers will need to find a way to score against this stingy Lions defense, while also containing Columbia's own offensive attack.

  • The WBIT semifinal between Wisconsin and Columbia will take place on March 31, 2026 in Wichita, Kansas.
  • Wisconsin has won 3 games to reach the semifinal, while Columbia has a 23-8 record on the season.

The players

Wisconsin Badgers

The women's basketball team from the University of Wisconsin, who finished the regular season with a 16-17 record but have found success in the WBIT tournament.

Columbia Lions

The women's basketball team from Columbia University, who enter the WBIT semifinal with a strong 23-8 record and a reputation for tough defense.

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What they’re saying

“This tournament has been a chance for us to show what we're really capable of after a tough regular season. We're excited for the challenge of facing Columbia and hopefully making it to the championship game.”

— Wisconsin Player

What’s next

The winner of the Wisconsin-Columbia semifinal will advance to the WBIT championship game on April 2, 2026 at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita.

The takeaway

Wisconsin's WBIT run has been an opportunity to redeem themselves after a disappointing regular season. Reaching the tournament final would be a major accomplishment, but they will need to find a way to score against Columbia's stifling defense to make that a reality.