Stanford Women’s Basketball: WBIT Tournament Info & Schedule | 2024
- Stanford women’s basketball will participate in the 32-team Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) for the second year in a row, the selection committee announced on Sunday, March 20,...
- This appearance in the WBIT comes after Stanford concluded its 2024-25 season with a 16-15 overall record and an 8-10 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), their...
- The WBIT, launched in 2024, was created by the NCAA as a counterpart to the men’s National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
Stanford Women’s Basketball Heads to WBIT for Second Consecutive Year
Stanford women’s basketball will participate in the 32-team Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) for the second year in a row, the selection committee announced on Sunday, . The Cardinal will host Loyola Marymount (LMU) in a first-round matchup at Maples Pavilion on Thursday, at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently available for purchase.
This appearance in the WBIT comes after Stanford concluded its 2024-25 season with a 16-15 overall record and an 8-10 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), their first season competing in the conference. While the Cardinal did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the WBIT provides an opportunity to extend their season and gain valuable postseason experience.
The WBIT, launched in 2024, was created by the NCAA as a counterpart to the men’s National Invitation Tournament (NIT). It invites 32 teams that did not receive bids to the NCAA Tournament, offering a sponsored postseason option. The tournament aims to provide competitive opportunities for programs on the cusp of NCAA contention and to showcase women’s basketball talent.
Stanford holds a 2-0 all-time record against LMU. Their first encounter took place on December 4, 1987, in Honolulu, Hawai’i, resulting in an 83-38 victory for the Cardinal. The second meeting occurred on November 9, 2006, at Maples Pavilion, where Stanford won 88-61. This history suggests a favorable matchup for the Cardinal as they begin their WBIT journey.
The winner of the Stanford-LMU game will advance to face the winner of the George Mason-Quinnipiac contest. Should Stanford prevail in the first round, they would host a second-round game on Sunday, . The tournament’s structure progresses with quarterfinals scheduled for March 26, followed by the semifinals at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, on Monday, March 30. The WBIT championship game is set for Wednesday, April 1.
Early rounds of the WBIT will be broadcast on ESPN+, with the semifinals moving to ESPNU and the championship game airing on ESPN2. This broadcast schedule aims to increase the visibility of the tournament and provide fans with access to the games. Stanford’s participation in the WBIT underscores the NCAA’s commitment to expanding opportunities in women’s basketball and providing a platform for teams to compete for a postseason title.