Last Updated 2 weeks by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off today
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off Wednesday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It ushers in a month full of college sports in Indianapolis.
It’s the competition’s first edition since the conference expanded to 18 teams. The tournament will feature a 15-team format.
IU is the ninth seed in the tournament and earned a bye to the second round. Meanwhile, Purdue — alongside Northwestern and Penn State — missed the cut.
Dan Gliot with the Indiana Sports Corporation says the city is ready to welcome new fans.
“It’s really great to see that expansion,” Gliot said. “Those West Coast teams have already made such a huge impact…USC and UCLA, two L.A. teams, are (seeds) one and two in this tournament. Their fans are going to be coming in and possibly experiencing Indianapolis for the first time.”
Each day of the tournament will feature the Fan Zone with activities and a DJ on Bicentennial Unity Plaza outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“It’s a free activation,” Gliot said. “If you have a ticket for later days, you can still come out and experience everything. If you don’t have a ticket at all, come out, have some great fun. That is basketball here in Indiana.”
The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with No. 13 Minnesota taking on No. 12 Washington. The tournament runs through Sunday, but it’s not the only basketball championship in town.
The Horizon League Championships started Tuesday at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Men’s and women’s teams will play Thursday and Monday, with both finals on Tuesday.
The Circle City will also host the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament next week. The action runs Wednesday – Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
At the end of the month, Lucas Oil Stadium will host the Men’s Midwest Regional.
“We have 43 NCAA college postseason basketball games, both men and women,” Gliot said. “Indianapolis has these great venues and, really, what better place to host college basketball?”
All of the basketball action then culminates with the NIT and the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
That’s the tip of the iceberg in college action. Indy will also welcome a lineup of NCAA Division II championships this month, including wrestling, swimming, track and field.