Chuckie Kempf and Brooke Weisbrod on ESPNews as South Dakota State Takes On Washington in NCAA Tournament

Match date: 20 March 2026

Chuckie Kempf and Brooke Weisbrod on ESPNews as South Dakota State Takes On Washington in NCAA Tournament

Chuckie Kempf and Brooke Weisbrod will provide commentary as the No. 11 South Dakota State Jackrabbits face the No. 6 Washington Huskies in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. The matchup will air on ESPNews at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT), with live streaming available through the ESPN app and ESPN Unlimited for viewers across the United States.[1][2][8]

The game takes place at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, marking the first-ever meeting between these two programmes.[1][7] South Dakota State enters the tournament with an impressive 27-6 overall record, whilst Washington arrives with a 21-10 record after finishing eighth in the Big Ten regular season.[1]

Kempf brings extensive experience to the broadcast booth, having established himself as a respected voice in women's college basketball commentary. His analytical approach and detailed game knowledge have made him a sought-after commentator for marquee matchups throughout the season. Weisbrod, meanwhile, continues to build her profile as a prominent analyst in the sport, offering expert insights into player performance and strategic elements of the game.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits arrive in Fort Worth riding momentum from an impressive 10-game winning streak dating back to February 1.[1] The programme is making its 14th NCAA Tournament appearance in 18 seasons of postseason eligibility, having earned the Summit League's automatic bid by winning their fourth consecutive conference tournament championship last weekend.[6] South Dakota State boasts superior scoring efficiency, averaging 76.6 points per game whilst allowing just 61.2 points against.[5]

Washington, competing in their 20th NCAA Tournament appearance, earned their berth as a Big Ten Conference team.[7] The Huskies finished the regular season at 10-8 in conference play and have won three of their last four matchups heading into this tournament fixture.[7] Sayvia Sellers was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, whilst Brynn McGaughy earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, underscoring the talent within the Husky roster.[7]

For those unable to watch on ESPNews, the game will be available through the ESPN app and ESPN Unlimited, providing multiple viewing options for basketball enthusiasts across North America.[2] The winner advances to face the victor of the No. 3 TCU versus No. 14 UC San Diego matchup, also taking place at Schollmaier Arena.[6]

This opening-round contest represents a significant opportunity for both programmes, with tournament progression at stake. South Dakota State's strong regular season performance and recent form position them as a competitive challenger despite their lower seed, whilst Washington seeks to capitalise on their Big Ten credentials and recent positive momentum. With Kempf and Weisbrod providing expert analysis throughout the contest, viewers can expect comprehensive coverage of this intriguing first-round matchup.

For more information about the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, fans can consult the official NCAA website for updates and additional tournament details.

Article generated: 20 March 2026, 18:31 GMT