NCAA women's tourney to seed by true ranking

This change is a significant step forward for the NCAA women's basketball tournament, as it prioritizes competitive balance and fairness over traditional conference-based seeding. By seeding the top 16 teams according to their true ranking, the NCAA is acknowledging the strength of teams across the country, rather than being tied to their conference affiliation. This move is likely to be well-received by fans and players alike, as it will create more competitive matchups and reduce the likelihood of top teams being paired against each other too early in the tournament.

The impact of this change will be felt throughout the tournament, as teams will now be rewarded for their performance on the court rather than their conference schedule. This shift in approach also reflects the growing popularity and recognition of women's college basketball, as the NCAA seeks to create a more exciting and competitive postseason experience. The move is also in line with the men's tournament, which has used a similar seeding approach for years, and will help to further legitimize the women's game as a major player in the college sports landscape.

As the NCAA women's basketball tournament continues to grow in popularity, this change will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Next season's tournament will be a key test of this new seeding approach, and it will be interesting to see how the top teams are matched up and how the bracket plays out. Fans should keep an eye on the rankings throughout the season, as the true seeding approach will add an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament. With this change, the NCAA is sending a clear message that it is committed to creating a fair and competitive postseason experience for women's basketball players and fans.

Originally reported by espn.com. TourNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.