The bracket is set, and two HBCU programs know their opponents.
The Howard Bison and Southern Jaguars have both punched their tickets to the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, representing the MEAC and SWAC with momentum.
Howard, fresh off another strong MEAC Tournament run, earned the No. 14 seed and will face powerhouse No. 3 seed Ohio State in the first round on Saturday, March 21, in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Howard Bison are dancing in Fort Worth!!🏀🦬
14 Howard will face 3 Ohio State in the First Round of @MarchMadnessWBB on Saturday, March 21. #MEACHoops @Howard_WBB pic.twitter.com/PObSTizwiS
— Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (@MEACSports) March 16, 2026
Led by veteran leadership and a stifling defense, the Bison aim to bring their trademark toughness onto the national stage as they look to challenge a Big Ten contender known for its fast-paced offense.
Meanwhile, Southern will open their tournament journey in the First Four, set to face Samford on Thursday, March 19, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
𝓣𝓱𝓮𝔂’𝓻𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰 💃
🏀 First Four
🗓️ Thursday, March 19
🆚 Samford
🏟️ Colonial Life Arena
📍 Columbia, South Carolina #SWACWBB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/5PuUUkA9dI— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 16, 2026
The winner of that game draws a daunting matchup against No. 1 seed South Carolina.
