An Exciting And Incredibly Memorable Day For MIAC Women's Basketball - Four Teams Headed For The NCAA Tournament!

SMU had a nervous weekend but made it into the Field of 64 to become one of the four MIAC teams headed for the NCAA Tournament!  

Maybe the anticipation and tension wasn't there because we knew that the NPI rankings had the top 64 teams determined - including the four MIAC teams - but still, what a thrill it was to see the brackets unveiled a bit ago and to see the four conference teams that made it - Bethel, Concordia, GAC and SMU - get their opponents and destinations determined.  So, before we go any further, I'd first like to raise my glass of champagne and give a rousing toast to the Royals, Cobbers, Gusties and Cardinals!!!  Way to go!!!

So, for starters, both Bethel and Concordia will be hosting 1st/2nd round pods.  In the Bethel Pod, the Royals have a very interesting first-round matchup with Millsaps which is located in Jackson, MS and is a member of the SAA (Southern Athletic Association).  The other first-round matchup on Friday night at Robertson Center is a humdinger as well that pits Coe which is located in my old stomping grounds of Cedar Rapids, IA (two of my brothers played tennis at Coe and graduated from there as well) which won the ARC Championship Game against UW-Platteville out of the WIAC.

Meanwhile, at the Concordia Pod (where I plan to be) up in Moorhead is also setting up to be a potentially exciting four-team get-together as well.  The Cobbers will face UMAC Championship Game winner UW-Superior while the other first round game will feature highly-regarded and MWC Championship Game winner Ripon taking on UW-River Falls out of the WIAC.  That game will be a war for sure!  

GAC meanwhile is heading over to UW-Whitewater again (they were there back in 2018 when they made a run to the Sweet 16) where they'll have a very interesting matchup of their own as they'll face off against Chicago - a perennial powerhouse program out of the UAA.  The other first-round game at the Whitewater pod will feature host UW-Whitewater taking on Transylvania.  

The new kid on the block; SMU, is getting shipped over to another WIAC host at the Oshkosh (b'gosh) Pod.  Here, the Cardinals will take on a very good Wisconsin Lutheran team that won the NACC Championship Game and this game has the potential to be a barn-burner for sure.  The other first-round game will feature host UW-Oshkosh taking on Webster.  

I'll be breaking this all down more as the week progresses but right now, let's enjoy this unbelievable - and long-awaited moment for MIAC Women's Basketball.  How cool is this?!  

Oh, here's the URL for the released brackets for the Field of 64.  Let's get it on!

https://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/women/2026/bracket