The last time we saw the Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team, they were eliminated in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament by the Illinois Fighting Illini. After a poor start and falling behind by double digits in the first half, Wisconsin narrowed the deficit to one point in the third quarter but ultimately lost 82-71, extending their losing streak to 10 games.
While the falloff from Wisconsin’s upset of No. 24 Nebraska was incredibly disappointing, there was still a chance that Pingeton’s squad could make a postseason tournament. On Sunday night, the Badgers got their wish.
Wisconsin Badgers to take on Oregon State in the WBIT
For the first time since 2024, and for the third time in the last sixteen seasons, the Badgers will play postseason basketball. Wisconsin was selected to the WBIT for the first time in program history and will take on Oregon State in Corvallis on March 19th. The tip-off time for the game has not yet been announced.
March isn’t over yet.
— Wisconsin Women’s Basketball (@BadgerWBB) March 16, 2026
See you in the WBIT!#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/Ksu7Mj8TTu
The Beavers, led by Scott Rueck in his 16th season, finished 23-11 overall and 13-5 in conference. Their top scorer, starting guard Jenna Villa, a 6-foot-1 Washington State transfer, averages 15.1 points and is Oregon State’s second-leading rebounder at 5.2 per game. In the backcourt along Villa is Ally Schimel, a 5-foot-10 guard who leads Oregon State starters with a 43% three-point shooting percentage. In the frontcourt for the Beavers is 6-foot-5 transfer forward Lizzy Williamson, who averages 5.9 rebounds per game in 26 starts for Oregon State.
For a program such as Wisconsin’s women’s basketball, which had been devoid of success over the last decade and a half, just making any postseason tournament is a positive step. Reaching the WBIT may not sound significant to the casual fan, but this season could be the seed that eventually blossoms into something bigger and better for Wisconsin.