Princeton Women's Basketball Earns March Madness Bid

Lady Tigers to face No. 7 Oregon as 10-seed in Region 3-Fort Worth

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:50pm

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The Princeton women's basketball team has punched its ticket to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, earning an at-large bid after winning the Ivy League championship. The Lady Tigers, ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, will face No. 7 seed Oregon in the opening round as a 10-seed in the Fort Worth region.

Why it matters

Princeton's inclusion in the tournament means there is one more spot available for a non-Ivy League team, as the Ivy was a two-bid conference the last two years. The Lady Tigers have beaten several top teams from major conferences this season, including Villanova, Rutgers, and Georgia Tech.

The details

Princeton finished the regular season 26-3, with their only losses coming to No. 17 Maryland and Ivy rival Columbia. The team's strong resume, including wins over Big East, Big Ten, and ACC opponents, was enough to earn them an at-large bid despite not winning the Ivy's automatic bid. This will mark the final collegiate appearance for senior Madison St. Rose, an Old Bridge native who is having a standout comeback season after missing most of her junior year due to a torn ACL.

  • The 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • Princeton clinched the Ivy League's automatic bid by defeating Harvard on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Princeton Tigers women's basketball team

The Princeton women's basketball team, ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament after winning the Ivy League championship.

Madison St. Rose

The lone senior in Princeton's starting lineup, St. Rose is having a stellar comeback season after missing almost all of her junior year due to a torn ACL. The Old Bridge native plans to finish her collegiate career with a non-Ivy program.

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What’s next

The NCAA women's basketball tournament bracket will be officially revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The takeaway

Princeton's inclusion in the 2026 NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid demonstrates the strength of their program and the competitiveness of the Ivy League. The Lady Tigers' ability to earn a tournament spot despite not winning their conference's automatic bid opens up an opportunity for another non-Ivy team to make the field.