March Madness: Penn, Villanova, Lehigh, Princeton earn spots in NCAA tournament
· Yahoo Sports
Let the madness begin! Four schools in the Delaware Valley will have teams competing in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
The basketball teams include Penn's men's team, Villanova's women's and men's teams, Lehigh's men's team, and Princeton's women's team.
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The University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament after a nail-biting win in overtime against Yale on Sunday to become the Ivy League champions.
They watched the announcement during the Selection Show after their game and will take on Illinois on Thursday night. Their last appearance in the big dance was in 2018.
Head coach Fran McCaffery has taken a lot of teams to the big tournament, but this one's extra special because it's his first season at his alma mater.
"They're all incredible, but I do think this was a little different. Not only coming home to my alma mater, but coming home. I just feel blessed to have this opportunity," McCaffery said.
Over at Villanova, the women's and men's teams are going dancing.
The women made it to the Sweet 16 three years ago. This time, they'll take on Texas Tech in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Friday.
Their families are rushing to book flights.
"Being the last run for me, it's really important to them as much as it is to me," said player Denae Carter.
"This group was certainly worthy. They did what was necessary," said head coach Denise Dillon.
"We're a young team, but we work so hard, and we're ready," said player Jasmine Bascoe.
Villanova's men's team will get a fresh start in the tournament after earning the opportunity to take part in March Madness for the first time in four years.
They'll take on Utah State on Friday in San Diego, California.
This is head coach Kevin Willard's first season with his team.
"It's going to take a jump up in level. It's win or go home at this point," said player Duke Brennan.
"It's amazing. I'm so glad we're back in the tournament. It's a testament to all the players' and coaches' hard work and everyone behind the scenes," said player Tyler Perkins.
The Lehigh Mountain Hawks men's team won their conference, but they're one of the teams on the "bubble" and will have to compete in a play-in game on Wednesday to earn a spot in the tournament.
Princeton's women's team won its conference championship and will begin the first round of the tournament on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Good luck to all the teams!