Women's Bracketology: At-large hopes for Mississippi State, Stanford and Richmond take a hit
CBS Sports
by
Connor Groel
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The final stretch of the regular season is crucial as teams fight for NCAA Tournament spots and seeding positions. Recent games have reshaped the landscape, with some programs securing strong positions while others face uncertainty. Virginia and Clemson made significant strides with key victories, earning them safer positions in the bracket. Meanwhile, Mississippi State's loss to Texas dropped them out of the projected field, highlighting the high stakes of each game. Stanford and Richmond also saw their at-large hopes diminish after setbacks, emphasizing the need for strong performances in upcoming games.
The article highlights how late-season success can propel teams like Virginia and Clemson into stronger seeding positions. For example, Villanova's defensive performance against Marquette moved them closer to securing a bid, while Nebraska's last-second win against Washington provided much-needed relief after a six-game losing streak. These examples underscore the importance of resilience and clutch performances in determining tournament eligibility.
Teams currently on the bubble, such as Mississippi State, Stanford, and Richmond, have narrow paths to return to the field. For instance, Stanford faces a critical game against Clemson, which could determine their fate. Similarly, South Dakota State and Richmond need conference tournament victories to stay alive. The article also notes that teams in the "Next Four Out" category face long odds but could still make a push with strong finishes.
The chase for conference tournament seeding is another layer of competition, particularly in power conferences like the ACC and Big Ten. With multiple teams vying for top-four seeds, every game carries significant weight. Additionally, the Ivy League's race for the No. 1 seed adds to the excitement, as Columbia aims to secure a strong position heading into their conference tournament.
For fans of women's college basketball, this high-stakes period offers compelling drama. The article emphasizes how each team's performance in the final week can alter the bracket and impact their
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/24/2026