RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Not only will Raleigh’s Lenovo Center host some of the men’s college basketball tournament games, but three Triangle universities will be the venue of some action between the women.
Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina will host some of the first two rounds of March Madness in the chase of the women’s 2025 college basketball national championship, with games at the Reynolds Coliseum, Carmichael Arena and the Cameron Indoor Stadium.
They earned the hosting gigs according to their seeding in the NCAA tournament brackets, with Duke ranking No. 2 and UNC at No. 3 in the Birmingham region, and NC State earned a No. 2 seed in the Spokane region.
Here is a breakdown of the women’s college tournament games hosted at the Reynolds Coliseum:
Raleigh
No. 15 Vermont vs No. 2 NC State
This will be the first time these two teams match up. The Vermont Catamounts, who are 21-12, punched a ticket to the tournament after defeating Albany 62-55 and winning the American East Tournament title. At 26-6, the Wolfpack went all the way to the ACC Tournament title game but lost to Duke 76-62. Their matchup takes place Saturday at 2 p.m.
No. 10 Harvard vs No. 7 Michigan State
The Harvard Crimson, who is 24-4 this season, is facing the 21-9 Michigan State Spartans for the first time this season. Harvard claimed the Ivy League Tournament title in a 24-point clinic against Columbia. Meanwhile, Michigan State was defeated by Big Ten tourney runner-up University of Southern California, 74-61. Tipoff is Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Durham
These are the games that will take place at the Cameron Indoor Stadium:
No. 10 Oregon vs No. 2 Vanderbilt
In their first matchup of the season, the Cameron lights begin shining on a pretty even matchup, between Oregon and Vanderbilt. The Oregon Ducks, who are 19-11, lost in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament to the Indiana Hoosiers, 78-62. At 22-10, the Vanderbilt Commodores had a valiant run in the SEC Tournament, but came to an end against South Carolina, 84-63. Tipoff is Friday at 5:30 p.m.
No. 15 Lehigh vs No. 2 Duke
The Cameron Crazies may turn out the venue for this matchup — the Blue Devils will play the Leigh Mountain Hawks on their own court. Lehigh is riding high following a championship run in the Patriot League Tournament, earning their spot in the national tournament. Meanwhile, Duke rolls into the big dance on their homecourt after a nasty revenge run to earn the ACC tournament title against top-ranked opponents. Tipoff is on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Chapel Hill
Here are the games being played at the Carmichael Arena:
No. 11 Columbia vs No. 6 West Virginia
After stamping their entry into the national tournament following the First Four game, the Columbia Lions will face the West Virginia Mountaineers in Chapel Hill. The 24-6 Lions, who lost to Harvard in the Ivy League championship, will face the 14-6 Mountaineers for the first time this season. Tipoff is Friday at 2 p.m.
No. 14 Oregon State vs No. 3 UNC
The 19-15 Oregon State Beavers will face the home team UNC Tar Heels, who are 27-7. Carolina will be the hosting team for the first time in 10 years for a women’s national tournament. While UNC lost in the semifinal to NC State, Oregon State won their title as an underdog against the University of Portland. Tipoff is Friday at 4:30 p.m.