University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Earn NCAA Tournament At-Large Bid, Will Face No. 11 Nebraska in First Four at Cameron Indoor
03/15/2026 | Women's Basketball
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond women's basketball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament, earning an at-large berth in the 68-team field announced Sunday night. The Spiders will face Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament First Four on Wednesday, March 18, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., with tipoff slated for 7 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Richmond and Nebraska are both No. 11 seeds, with the winner advancing into the main bracket to face No. 6 Baylor on March 20.
The selection marks Richmond's third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and the second-consecutive season the Spiders have earned an at-large bid, while also notching the program's first appearance in the First Four.
Richmond returns to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time since capturing the 2024 Atlantic 10 Tournament Title, facing then-No. 7 Duke in the NCAA First Round on the Blue Devils' home court. Wednesday's matchup will also mark the first meeting in program history between Richmond and Nebraska.
Last season, the Spiders secured their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with a 74-49 win over No. 9 Georgia Tech at UCLA before advancing to the second round. The latest berth continues one of the most successful stretches in program history, as Richmond has now reached the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons, the most in program history. Nebraska also enters the postseason with its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Spiders' NCAA Tournament appearance in 2026, adds to their 2025 and 2024 appearances in addition to 2004, 1991 and 1990. The Spiders are 1-5 all-time in the tournament.
Richmond enters postseason play at 26-7 overall and was one of the final four teams selected into the field. The Spiders join Rhode Island as Atlantic 10 Conference representatives in this year's NCAA Tournament field, carrying a NET ranking of 37 into the matchup while Nebraska enters at No. 28.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Richmond has ranked among the nation's most efficient and disciplined teams. The Spiders enter NCAA Tournament play ranked No. 2 nationally in three-pointers per game (10.5), No. 7 in free throw percentage (79.6), No. 9 in three-point percentage (37.0), No. 24 in field goal percentage (45.8) and No. 35 in scoring margin (+13.6). Richmond also leads the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, scoring offense, assist-turnover ratio, fouls per game, three-point percentage, three-point attempts per game and three-pointers per game.
Individually, Maggie Doogan leads the Spiders with 21.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while totaling 692 points, 259 rebounds and 130 assists. Rachel Ullstrom adds 14.2 points per game and enters the tournament ranked No. 12 nationally with 92 made three-pointers. Ally Sweeney directs the Richmond offense with 144 assists, which leads the Atlantic 10, while Alicia Newell has recorded a team-high 59 steals this season.
Ticket information can be found here. The game will also be broadcast on 106.1 ESPN Richmond.
