SAN MATEO, Calif. – No. 15/13 BYU and Gonzaga women’s basketball had their names called on Sunday and will compete in the 2022 NCAA Tournament as announced today on ESPN. The Cougars will be a No. 6 seed and will face No. 11 Villanova in Ann Arbor, Mich., while Gonzaga enters as a No. 9 seed and will face No. 8 Nebraska in Louisville, Ky.
The WCC regular season champions, BYU’s current No. 15 AP ranking is its best in program history. BYU's 19.6 margin of victory leads the WCC and ranks fifth nationally, and the Cougars also rank second in the nation in assists (20.0 apg) and No. 11 nationally in scoring offense (77.8 ppg).
The Cougars will be making their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and their sixth since 2014. BYU’s No. 6 seed is a program best, as well. BYU has advanced to the Round of 16 twice (2002, 2014), and the Cougars have advanced to the second round in each of their last two appearances in 2019 and 2021.
The WCC Tournament champions, Gonzaga knows how to win away from the Kennel, as the Zags’ 10 road wins are tied for second most in nation. A tight-knit defensive squad, the Bulldogs rank first in the WCC in scoring defense (55.8 ppg) and 26th nationally. Winners of nine of their last 10, the Zags held seven of their opponents during that span to fewer than 60 points.
Gonzaga will be making its 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and the fifth since 2017. The Bulldogs have advanced to the Round of 16 four times (2010-12, 2015) with a trip to the Elite Eight in 2011, as well.
In addition, three West Coast Conference women’s basketball teams were tabbed for the WNIT – San Francisco (automatic qualifier), Portland and San Diego.
USF will host Air Force on Thursday, March 17, at 5 p.m. in the first round. The Dons, who earned an automatic qualifier, will be making their fourth trip to the WNIT after ending the regular season third in the WCC. USF earned a postseason berth after winning 11 of its last 16 games after starting the conference campaign with a record of 6-10. The Dons are led by WCC scoring champion Ioanna Krimili (19.6 ppg).
This will be Portland’s third trip to the WNIT (2009, 2019). The Pilots finished fourth in the WCC regular season standings. They rank second in the WCC in points per game (71.8) and assists per game (18.6). Portland also ranks eighth in the nation in assists per game. The Pilots rank 11th in the nation in steals per game (11.3), 14th in total assists (527) and in blocks per game (5.0), and 16th in total steals (329). In the first round, the Pilots host Colorado State at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
USD faces California Baptist in Riverside on Thursday, March 17, at 6 p.m. in the first round. San Diego begins play in the WNIT with one of the WCC’s stingiest defenses this season. The Toreros rank second in the nation in steals per game (13.1 spg). In the conference ranks, WCC Defensive Player of the Year Jordyn Edwards (2.5), Steph Gorman (2.3) and Sydney Hunter (2.2) rank first, second and fourth, respectively. This will be USD’s seventh WNIT appearance, most recently in 2016. The Toreros earned a Final Four appearance in the 2012 WNIT.
Saint Mary's will compete in the WBI Tournament. The Gaels will face Austin Peay on Friday, March 18, at 12:30 p.m. PT. The entire WBI Tournament will be played in Lexington, Ky., from March 18-20.
WCC 2022 NCAA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, March 18
No. 8 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Gonzaga - 12:30 P.M. PT (ESPN News)
Saturday, March 19
No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Villanova - 10 A.M. PT (ESPN News)
WCC 2022 WNIT TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 17
San Francisco vs. Air Force - 5 P.M. PT
California Baptist vs. San Diego - 6 P.M. PT
Friday, March 18
Portland vs. Colorado State - 7:00 P.M. PT
WCC 2022 WBI TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, March 18
Saint Mary's vs. Austin Peay - 12:30 P.M. PT