MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s run to the Big 12 Tournament title was likely the final piece of their resume needed to secure hosting rights for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA released the names of 16 schools that will host the first and second round contests on Saturday afternoon. West Virginia and TCU are the two Big 12 Conference schools to earn Top 4 seeds.
NCAA Tournament play begins Friday, March 20. The entire field of 68 will be released Sunday at 8 p.m. Eight of the regionals will compete on Friday and Sunday, while the other eight will play Saturday and Monday.
The Mountaineers last hosted an NCAA Tournament game in 1992 before the field expanded to 64, and later, 68 teams.
West Virginia (27-6) jumped up to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll following their run to the Big 12 Tournament title that included wins over Arizona State, Colorado and TCU.
WVU enters the NCAA Tournament with wins in 10 of their last 11 games.
𝙒𝙀’𝙍𝙀 𝙃𝙊𝙎𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂‼️
Get ready Morgantown, the NCAA Tournament is coming to Almost Heaven!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/sesXaoMco4
— WVU Women’s Basketball (@WVUWBB) March 14, 2026