Wisconsin Women's Basketball Earns WBIT Bid, Set to Face Oregon State

The Badgers will compete in the NCAA's second-tier postseason tournament after missing out on the Big Dance.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:34am

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The University of Wisconsin women's basketball team has earned a bid to the 2026 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), the NCAA's second-tier postseason tournament. The Badgers will face off against Oregon State in the opening round after missing out on a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

The WBIT bid represents a fresh start for the Wisconsin women's basketball program, which has struggled in recent seasons to earn a spot in the more prestigious NCAA Tournament. Earning a WBIT berth is an important step in the team's rebuilding process under head coach Robin Pingeton.

The details

Wisconsin's women's basketball team earned one of the 32 spots in the 2026 WBIT field, which is in its third season of existence after previously being known as the WNIT. The Badgers will face off against Oregon State in the opening round, with the winner advancing to play the victor of the matchup between Gonzaga and Colorado.

  • The WBIT bid was announced on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The opening round game between Wisconsin and Oregon State is scheduled for March 20, 2026.

The players

Robin Pingeton

The head coach of the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team.

Oregon State

The opponent that Wisconsin will face in the opening round of the 2026 WBIT.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to have the opportunity to compete in the WBIT and continue our season. It's a chance for our team to grow and develop, and we're looking forward to the challenge of facing Oregon State.”

— Robin Pingeton, Head Coach, University of Wisconsin Women's Basketball (wn.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Wisconsin-Oregon State matchup will advance to face the winner of the Gonzaga-Colorado game in the WBIT quarterfinals.

The takeaway

The WBIT bid represents an important step forward for the Wisconsin women's basketball program as they work to rebuild and return to the NCAA Tournament in the coming seasons.