The Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament, and once again, they will get to host the opening weekend in Norman.
For the second consecutive season, and for the third time in the last five years under head coach Jennie Baranczyk, Oklahoma will host NCAA Tournament games at home. The Sooners earned a No. 4 seed and will open tournament play Friday against the No. 13 seed Idaho Vandals women’s basketball.
Also coming to Norman for the opening rounds are No. 5 seed Michigan State Spartans women’s basketball and No. 12 seed Colorado State Rams women’s basketball. That group sets up what should be a competitive first weekend, played in front of what is expected to be a loud and supportive Sooner crowd.
Sahara Williams (6) & Keziah Lofton (22) in action vs. LSU (courtesy OU)
This marks Oklahoma’s 26th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and the program is chasing its 12th trip to the Sweet 16. Last season, the Sooners earned a No. 3 seed and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013. That run showed just how much momentum the program has built under Baranczyk.
If Oklahoma is going to make another deep run, there is a familiar challenge waiting down the road. The bracket lines up for the Sooners to potentially face the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball in the regional round if both teams advance. That matchup would certainly get attention, especially considering Oklahoma already proved earlier this season it can compete with the nation’s best, knocking off South Carolina in an overtime thriller.
Should the Sooners advance past the first weekend, they will be headed west to Sacramento for regional play at Golden 1 Center. The women’s tournament is using a two-site regional format this year, with the other half of the bracket playing at Dickies Arena.
Naturally, Oklahoma was hoping to land in Fort Worth, a much shorter trip for players and fans since it is only about three hours down the road from Norman. Instead, the road to the Final Four will require a little more travel.
Either way, the most important thing is that the Sooners are dancing again.
This will be Oklahoma’s fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, and the program continues to prove it belongs among the consistent contenders in women’s college basketball. With a talented roster, tournament experience, and the energy of a home crowd behind them to start the run, the Sooners will look to keep their season alive and see just how far this March journey can go.
