Lady Vols to Face NC State in 2026 March Madness Opener

Tennessee and NC State will square off in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in Ann Arbor.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:35am

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The University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team has been selected as a No. 10 seed in the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. They will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to take on the No. 7 seed NC State Wolfpack in the first round on March 20 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Why it matters

This matchup features two storied women's basketball programs looking to make a deep run in the tournament. The Lady Vols are seeking their first NCAA title since 1998, while NC State is aiming to build on their recent success and advance further than their Sweet 16 appearance in 2025.

The details

Tennessee earned a No. 10 seed after finishing the regular season with a 16-13 record. They will face a tough challenge against the No. 7 seed NC State Wolfpack, who posted a 20-10 record this season. The winner of this first-round game will advance to take on the winner of the matchup between the No. 2 and No. 15 seeds in the second round.

  • The Lady Vols vs. NC State game will take place on March 20, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET.
  • Tennessee was selected as a No. 10 seed on March 15, 2026.

The players

University of Tennessee Lady Vols

The women's basketball team of the University of Tennessee, a storied program that has won 8 NCAA championships, most recently in 1998.

NC State Wolfpack

The women's basketball team of North Carolina State University, a perennial NCAA Tournament contender that reached the Sweet 16 in 2025.

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The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Lady Vols and Wolfpack features two proud programs looking to make a statement in the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The winner will have a chance to advance deeper into the bracket and potentially make a run at the national championship.