Ole Miss women's basketball reaches NCAA Tournament for third consecutive season
The only uncertainty for the Ole Miss women’s basketball team this March was who they were playing next and where. The NCAA Tournament was a sure thing by Sunday and the selection show watch party was just that, a party.
The Pavilion Club inside the SJB Pavilion was packed with Ole Miss fans and supporters as it was revealed the Rebels earned the 7 Seed in the Albany 1 Region. They will play on Friday against 10 Seed Marquette (23-8) in the First Round in South Bend, Indiana.
Notre Dame is the 2 Seed in the region and host team. The Fighting Irish will play 15 Seed Kent State.
Ole Miss was the first 7 Seed announced and placed in the same region with No. 1 overall seed South Carolina.
Ole Miss (23-8) secured its first 12-wins in Southeastern Conference play in program history and locked up a third trip to the big dance. Sunday’s bid makes it the first time the Rebels have gone to the NCAA Tournament three consecutive years since 1994-96.
This year marks the 20th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
“I remember looking back to my freshman year. We went on a little streak winning some games and coach Yo had us watch the show,” said senior forward Madison Scott. “We didn’t get in and feeling that way, we didn’t want to feel that anymore. With consecutive years of getting in that also fueled us. To watch the show and see where we’re going early, it’s just day and night. It’s a feeling that you want to have all the time.”
Marquette went 11-7 in Big East play, finishing fourth in the conference. The Golden Eagles lost to UConn in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament last week.
