Starting Five: Wisconsin dances to Miami

MADISON, Wis.– Wisconsin (#3 seed) advanced to the round of 16 where they will face the second-seeded Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables, Florida, on Sunday, March 22. The game will air on ESPN+ with tip time set for 11 a.m. (CT).

Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Hurricanes:

1. WISCONSIN IN THE POSTSEASON:
The team is making its first appearance in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) in 2025-26. The Badgers have made 15 all-time postseason tournament appearances, including seven in the NCAA tournament, seven in the WNIT, and one in the AIAW tournament. Wisconsin captured the 2000 WNIT Championship under head coach Jane Albright and finished WNIT runner-up in 2007 under Lisa Stone.

2. TOURNAMENT HISTORY:
This will be UW's first-ever appearance in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). The Badgers are the only Big Ten team to earn a bid to the tournament this year. Since the tournament's inaugural run in 2024, Big Ten teams have claimed the title each year, with Illinois winning in 2024 and Minnesota in 2025.

3. SCOUTING MIAMI:
This will be the third meeting between the two teams. Wisconsin last met Miami in the 2014 season in Coral Gables where they dropped a 68-60 game. The Hurricanes enter the match up 18-14 overall and 8-10 in conference play. As a team they are averaging 70.7 points per game and are pulling down 38.6 rebounds per game.

Miami's offense is led by Ra Shaya Kyle, who averages 16.5 points per game, with Gal Raviv and Amarachi Kimpson also among the top scorers in the lineup. Ra Shaya Kyle also paces the Hurricanes on the boards, pulling down 10.4 rebounds per game. The team is coached by Tricia Cullop, who is in her second season at Miami.

4. LAST TIME OUT:

The Wisconsin women's basketball team triumphed at Oregon State, 62-58, in the first round of the WBIT. Dorja Zaja led the way with a game-high 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while Destiny Howell added 13 points and Kyrah Daniels chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.

Wisconsin ended shooting 49.1% (27-55) from the field, 26.3% (5-19) from beyond the arc and 100% (3-3) from the line. Oregon State finished 40.4% (23-57) from the field, 31.6% (6-19) from three and 75.0% (6-8) from the line.

5. UP NEXT:
If Wisconsin advances, the team will play either Eastern Kentucky or fourth-seeded Harvard. Location and tip time are TBD.