Kentucky Women's Basketball Earns 5-Seed, Will Face James Madison in NCAA Tournament

West Virginia to host first and second round games with Wildcats likely facing host Mountaineers if they advance

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:30am

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The Kentucky women's basketball team was revealed as a 5-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will face 12-seed James Madison in the first round, with the games being hosted by 4-seed West Virginia. Kentucky enters the tournament as the No. 16 team in the NET rankings, going 16-0 in Quad 3 and 4 games but struggling against tougher Quad 1 competition, going 5-9.

Why it matters

Kentucky was hoping for a higher seed and the chance to host the first two rounds of the tournament at their home arena, Historic Memorial Coliseum. However, injuries to key players like Teonni Key during the regular season ultimately hurt the Wildcats' seeding. Now they'll have to go on the road to West Virginia, where they'll likely face the host Mountaineers if they can get past James Madison in the opening round.

The details

Kentucky will face James Madison, coached by former Dukes assistant Kenny Brooks, in the first round on Saturday. The Wildcats enter the tournament as the No. 16 team in the NET rankings, going 16-0 in Quad 3 and 4 games but struggling to a 5-9 record against Quad 1 competition. Injuries, including a six-game stretch where Teonni Key was sidelined with a dislocated elbow, hurt Kentucky's seeding on Selection Sunday.

  • Kentucky will face James Madison in the first round on Saturday.
  • If Kentucky advances, they will likely face host West Virginia in the second round.

The players

Teonni Key

Kentucky player who missed eight games during the regular season, including a six-game stretch in January due to a dislocated elbow.

Kenny Brooks

Head coach of James Madison, who previously played and coached at the school earlier in his career.

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What’s next

Time and channel for the first-round matchup between Kentucky and James Madison will be announced soon.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointment of not hosting the first two rounds, Kentucky has the opportunity to pull off an upset and advance in the NCAA Tournament by going on the road to West Virginia. The Wildcats will need to overcome their struggles against top competition and get healthy if they want to make a deep run.