March Madness 2025: Stanford women’s basketball officially misses first NCAA tournament since 1987
[Click here for an NCAA women's tournament printable bracket]
Stanford will be watching the NCAA tournament from home for the first time in decades.
The Cardinal officially did not receive a bid for the women's NCAA tournament on Sunday night after a rough campaign that resulted in a first-round exit from the ACC tournament earlier this month. It marks the first time since 1987 Stanford has missed the NCAA tournament.
That 36-season streak was the second longest in women’s college basketball. Only Tennessee has been better with 42 straight tournament appearances. UConn has now made it 36 times to match Stanford. Baylor is the next closest team with 21 consecutive appearances.
[Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K]
While it’s going to be strange not seeing the Cardinal in the tournament this spring, it’s easy to understand why they are missing out. This season was the first without longtime coach Tara VanDerveer, who retired last spring after 38 seasons with the program. She oversaw the entire NCAA tournament streak and turned the Cardinal into a powerhouse in college basketball.
VanDerveer finished with a 1,065-220 career record, which allowed her to retire as the winningest head coach in men’s and women’s Division I college basketball. Longtime UConn coach Geno Auriemma has since broken that record. VanDerveer led the Cardinal to three national titles — most recently in 2021 — 14 Final Fours and 26 regular season Pac-12 titles.
The team opted to promote longtime assistant Kate Paye to replace VanDerVeer. While Paye got the team off to a 7-1 start, Stanford lost five of its next six games and failed to beat a ranked opponent all season. Stanford was then knocked out of the opening round of the ACC tournament by Clemson, which dropped it to 16-14 on the season.
While it would’ve taken a significant run in the conference tournament to make it in — ESPN bracketology analyst Charlie Creme had the Cardinal listed under his “Next Four Out” section at the start of the ACC tournament — the loss ensured the Cardinal wouldn’t make it in.
So Stanford’s streak is finally over.
Paye should be able to bounce back next season and start her own streak. The Cardinal have a very strong recruiting class coming in, which includes ESPN five-star recruits Hailee Swain, Lara Somfai and Alexandra Eschmeyer. ESPN has them ranked as the third-best recruiting class in the nation, too.
While the first season in the post-VanDerveer era was disappointing, the future is still bright at Stanford. It just will take several decades to rebuild that historic streak.
-
Women's March Madness snubs: Stanford misses tournament for first time since 1987
Stanford's streak of 36 consecutive appearances in the women's NCAA tournament is over. See our list of snubs.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Notre Dame women's basketball vs Stephen F. Austin prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
It's Notre Dame women's basketball vs. Stephen F. Austin in March Madness first round. Here's our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Oregon vs. Vanderbilt in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
It's Oregon vs. Vanderbilt in the first round of the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament. Here's our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Louisville vs. Stanford odds, prediction, time: 2025 ACC Tournament picks, March 13 best bets by proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NCAA Basketball picks for the No. 13 Louisville Cardinals vs. Stanford Cardinal in the 2025 ACC Tournament quarterfinals on ThursdayCBS Sports - 3d -
Kentucky vs Liberty prediction in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
It’s Kentucky vs Liberty in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
When is the First Four for Women's March Madness? Dates, location for play-in tournament
When is the First Four for the 2025 Women's March Madness Tournament? Here's what to know about the NCAA play-in games, including dates and history:Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Duke women’s basketball to face Lehigh to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
Duke women's basketball just won its first ACC tournament championship in 12 years, and now the Blue Devils head into March Madness as a No. 2 seed.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Vermont women's basketball will face NC State to open March Madness: Bracket update
It's UVM women's basketball vs. NC State in March Madness to open the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in RaleighYahoo Sports - 11h -
March Madness bracket 2025: NCAA tournament first round schedule
The 68-team NCAA tournament field is set. Here's the 2025 March Madness first round schedule, including First Four and all four regions.Yahoo Sports - 13h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 17m