The state of Wisconsin will have strong representation in the upcoming NCAA Division III basketball tournament this weekend.
Seven of the nine teams are in the women’s field of 64, which was announced on Monday.
UW-Oshkosh, which claimed an automatic bid after winning the W-I-A-C tournament title, while UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater received three of the 20 at-large spots. The Titans, Falcons and Pointers are all hosting regionals this weekend.
Oshkosh (22-5) will open against UW-Superior (24-3) at 7 p.m. Friday, while Wartburg (19-7) and Wisconsin Lutheran (20-7) will meet in the opener at the Kolf Sports Center at 4:30 p.m..
UW-River Falls (22-5) will face Wheaton (22-5) in a first-round matchup at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. St. Thomas (24-3) and Loras (19-8) will also make the trip to River Falls and square off at 5 p.m..
UW-Stevens Point (20-7) will open its 11th NCAA journey against DePauw (22-6) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while George Fox (27-0) will face St. Norbert (21-4) meet in the opener at Berg Gym at 5 p.m.
UW-Whitewater (19-7) is making its 15th NCAA appearance and will meet Bluffton (25-2) at 5:30 p.m. Friday in St. Louis, Missouri. The other first-round matchup pits Washington University (20-5) against Greenville College (20-7) at 7:30 p.m.
In the men’s tournament, St. Norbert College (23-2), winners of the Midwest Conference, will face the Eagles of Northwestern-St. Paul (22-5) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. North Central (19-7) will face St. Olaf (18-9) in the opener at 5 p.m.
WIAC champion UW-Oshkosh (18-9) plays Elhurst (21-6) at 5:30 p.m. Friday in St. Paul, Minnesota. Host St. Thomas (24-3) will play Central College (19-9) at 8 p.m.