Women's Basketball 25-26

[D2Rover]

Just saw that Telexa Weeter signed with OK State.

OK State coach is from Hoxie, about an hour from Goodland. Figured that was a possibility as soon as she announced she was in the portal. Also it sounds like Oklahoma State might only keep one player from this years roster.

Kinnebrew to UNLV.

[laker]

Just saw that Telexa Weeter signed with OK State.

[Bballfan]

Don't disagree. But they will need some transfers. Lot of 5th year talent leaving.

I second wished Mankato stayed healthy. In November I thought they were well equipped to beat Grand Valley. Sadly Mankato peaked too early, then injuries hit, and didn't even win a tournament game. Sad.

[ucmjennies]

Congrats to Grand Valley State, once again the most complete team in D2 women's basketball. Win or lose, I wish we could have seen a healthy Mankato team and see how they stack up against each other. I guess we'll never know. 2 in a row for the Lakers, I would expect them to challenge for a three-peat.

[ucmjennies]

Well, that's a first for me. I've never seen confetti fall before the game is over.

[ucmjennies]

I'm hoping for a close exciting game today. I'm expecting a Grand Valley win but I'm down for an upset.

[Bballfan]

I agree that Duluth is a very dangerous team. Mesa got the worst first round matchup in my opinion. And I think the winner of that game will play Grand Valley in the finals.

[laker]

UMD was an 8 seed and pretty close to not making the regional at all. Now they are 6th in the Elite 8. They got hot at the right time.

"The Bulldogs are entering the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight as the No. 6 seed! They will face the No. 3-seeded Colorado Mesa University on March 24th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania".

[Bballfan]

I have to revisit some of the bracket predictions....

A region-by-region preview of the 2026 DII women’s basketball championship | NCAA.com

Atlantic - wrong on Gannon and wrong on Glenville State. No mention of IUP.
Central - no mention of Duluth
East - no mention of Holy Family
Midwest - right on Grand Valley
South - right on UAH as a team to watch
South Central - at least a mention of Colorado Mesa in the first round
Southeast - mention of Carson-Newman in the first round
West - no mention of Cal Poly.

1 for 8. Ouch.

[D2Rover]

1. GVSU
2. IUP
3. Mesa
4. Pomona
5. Huntsville
6. Duluth
7. Holy Family
8. Carson-Newman

[Bballfan]

If that is what it is an awful matchup for IUP.

The winner of the east region should just be slotted into 8th seed, regardless of the metrics.

I am picking a Grand Valley/Colorado Mesa matchup for the finals.

[Inkblot]

The pre-tournament metrics agreed on this order for the Elite Eight, so we'll likely see something close to this:

1. Grand Valley State
2. Indiana (PA)
3. Colorado Mesa
4. Cal Poly Pomona
5. Alabama–Huntsville
6. Holy Family
7. Minnesota–Duluth
8. Carson–Newman

[Bballfan]

Some outstanding games tonight!

So I will predict the Elite Eight rankings:
1) Grand Valley - and will be favored to repeat
2) Colorado Mesa
3) IUP
4) Cal Poly

From there it will be a pickem. I think Minnesota Duluth could be dangerous and is deserving of a 5. But not sure they will put them there. I could see them slotted as a 6 with UAH as the 5.

7) Carson Newman
8) Holy Family

[D2Rover]

See what I got left here:
Atlantic- IUP - will stick with them
Central- well Central was a bad pick. I think Concordia has been playing the best lately so will go with them, although Duluth wouldn't surprise me.
East- Bentley. Really could care less about the East. D2 women's hoop there hasn't been relevant in a good while. Will go with Daemen.
Midwest- Grand Valley State - obvious pick. Only question is will they win by less than 20.
South Central- Texas Women - sticking with them, although Colorado Mesa has been impressive.
South- Nova Southeastern - Eckerd stomped a good Union team. So I will go with them.
Southeast- Columbus State - feeling Carson-Newman.
West- Cal Poly Pomona - Central Washington has been playing better so they probably win this one instead.

I didn't get around to picks at the start. Too busy for my own good these days.

Atlantic - I'd have picked Gannon, so shows what I know. IUP seems solid.
Central - UCM and CSP both came in hot, apparently Duluth did too. Top talent for CSP is better than Duluth's so I'll lean Concordia.
East - Daemen is consistently underrated, which still means good not great, but they're my pick here. Resume isn't incredible but it's solid for an East team.
Midwest - GVSU obviously, but I'll take Northwood to keep it within 20.
South Central - Saw Mesa at the start of the year and in the first round and very impressed. Suspect Woman's is slightly overrated this year too. Winner is a top 3 team in the eight either way.
South - I know nothing but I'll take Eckerd
Southeast - ??? LR I guess. I don't suspect either will make much noise in Pittsburgh.
West - The first two rounds from Central looked much more like the unstoppable offense they were the first half of the year than rather average group they were the last month. Nervous about the Pomona physicality but I'll stick with CWU, especially at home.

[Goods]

West- Cal Poly Pomona - Central Washington has been playing better so they probably win this one instead.

While they still earned the #1 seed, CWU limped into the west region, but have stepped up big. TBH, I thought Western Washington would beat Pomona based on Pomona's near loss to Azusa in the first round, but what do I know? This is the second straight year for CWU in the Sweet 16. Let's hope we get our first Elite 8 bid.