NCAA Women's Basketball to Seed Top 16 Teams by True Ranking in 2027

The NCAA announced that for the 2027 women's basketball tournament the top 16 teams will be seeded according to a true ranking, independent of conference affiliation. The move aims to give at‑large programs a better chance while reducing the advantage of powerhouse conferences.

The selection committee said the new system will promote fair competition. Teams will now adjust season strategies to maximize their ranking points.