# 1997 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament

The 1997 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament began on March 14, 1997, and concluded on March 30, 1997, when Tennessee won the national title. The Final Four was held at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati on March 28–30, 1997. Tennessee, Old Dominion, Stanford, and Notre Dame qualified for the Final Four. Tennessee and Old Dominion won their semi-final Final Four matchups and continued on to the championship. Tennessee defeated Old Dominion 68-59 for their fifth national title.

## Tournament records

* Field goal percentage – Kristin Folkl, Stanford, hit all eight field goal attempts in the semi-final game against Old Dominion, setting the record for field goal percentage in a Final Four game.
* Assists – Kellie Jolly, Tennessee, recorded eleven assists in the championship game against Old Dominion, setting the record for most assists in a Final Four game.
* Field goal percentage – Tennessee hit 29 of 49 field goals attempts(59.2%) in the championship game against Old Dominion, setting the record for the field goal percentage in a Final Four game.

## Qualifying teams – automatic

Sixty-four teams were selected to participate in the 1997 NCAA Tournament. Thirty conferences were eligible for an automatic bid to the 1997 NCAA tournament.
Automatic Bids :
| | | Record | Record | |
| Qualifying School | Conference | Regular Season | Conference | Seed |
| Auburn University | SEC | 21–9 | 5–7 | 7 |
| University of Colorado at Boulder | Big 12 | 21–8 | 12–4 | 2 |
| University of Connecticut | Big East | 30–0 | 18–0 | 1 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Midwestern Collegiate | 23–6 | 14–2 | 14 |
| Drake University | Missouri Valley Conference | 23–7 | 14–4 | 13 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Ohio Valley Conference | 24–5 | 16–2 | 15 |
| Florida International University | Trans America | 21–8 | 12–4 | 14 |
| Grambling State University | SWAC | 24–5 | 14–0 | 14 |
| Harvard University | Ivy League | 20–6 | 14–0 | 16 |
| Howard University | MEAC | 24–5 | 18–0 | 16 |
| University of Iowa | Big Ten | 17–11 | 9–7 | 9 |
| Lehigh University | Patriot League | 15–14 | 7–5 | 16 |
| Liberty University | Big South Conference | 22–7 | 9–5 | 16 |
| Louisiana Tech University | Sun Belt Conference | 29–3 | 12–2 | 2 |
| University of Maine | America East | 22–7 | 17–1 | 13 |
| Marshall University | Southern Conference | 18–11 | 9–5 | 15 |
| University of Montana | Big Sky Conference | 25–3 | 16–0 | 9 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | ACC | 27–2 | 15–1 | 1 |
| Old Dominion University | Colonial | 29–1 | 16–0 | 1 |
| San Diego State University | WAC | 23–6 | 15–1 | 11 |
| University of San Francisco | West Coast Conference | 25–5 | 11–3 | 11 |
| St. Francis (PA) | Northeast Conference | 19–10 | 16–2 | 15 |
| Saint Joseph's University | Atlantic 10 | 25–4 | 15–1 | 7 |
| Saint Peter's College | MAAC | 25–3 | 14–0 | 15 |
| Stanford University | Pac-10 | 30–1 | 18–0 | 1 |
| Texas State University | Southland | 17–11 | 11–5 | 14 |
| University of Toledo | MAC | 27–3 | 16–2 | 10 |
| Troy University | Mid-Continent | 23–6 | 13–3 | 13 |
| Tulane University | Conference USA | 26–4 | 12–2 | 4 |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Big West Conference | 24–5 | 14–1 | 13 |

## Qualifying teams – at-large

Thirty-four additional teams were selected to complete the sixty-four invitations.
At-large Bids :
| | | Record | Record | |
| Qualifying School | Conference | Regular Season | Conference | Seed |
| University of Alabama | Southeastern | 23–6 | 10–2 | 2 |
| University of Arizona | Pacific-10 | 22–7 | 12–6 | 7 |
| Clemson University | Atlantic Coast | 19–10 | 8–8 | 5 |
| DePaul University | Conference USA | 20–8 | 10–4 | 12 |
| Duke University | Atlantic Coast | 18–10 | 9–7 | 5 |
| University of Florida | Southeastern | 21–8 | 9–3 | 3 |
| The George Washington University | Atlantic 10 | 25–5 | 16–0 | 5 |
| University of Georgia | Southeastern | 22–5 | 11–1 | 2 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign | Big Ten | 22–7 | 12–4 | 4 |
| Iowa State University | Big 12 | 17–11 | 9–7 | 12 |
| University of Kansas | Big 12 | 24–5 | 14–2 | 3 |
| Kansas State University | Big 12 | 19–11 | 9–7 | 10 |
| University of Louisville | Conference USA | 20–8 | 12–2 | 10 |
| Louisiana State University | Southeastern | 23–4 | 9–3 | 4 |
| Marquette University | Conference USA | 20–9 | 10–4 | 12 |
| University of Maryland, College Park | Atlantic Coast | 18–9 | 9–7 | 9 |
| University of Memphis | Conference USA | 22–6 | 12–2 | 11 |
| Michigan State University | Big Ten | 21–7 | 12–4 | 8 |
| North Carolina State University | Atlantic Coast | 19–11 | 9–7 | 8 |
| Northwestern University | Big Ten | 17–10 | 9–7 | 12 |
| University of Notre Dame | Big East | 27–6 | 17–1 | 6 |
| University of Oregon | Pacific-10 | 21–6 | 14–4 | 6 |
| University of Portland | West Coast | 27–2 | 14–0 | 9 |
| Purdue University | Big Ten | 16–10 | 12–4 | 8 |
| University of Southern California | Pacific-10 | 18–9 | 13–5 | 6 |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | Southland | 27–4 | 16–0 | 7 |
| University of Tennessee | Southeastern | 23–10 | 8–4 | 3 |
| University of Texas at Austin | Big 12 | 21–7 | 12–4 | 3 |
| Texas Tech University | Big 12 | 19–8 | 11–5 | 8 |
| University of Utah | Western Athletic | 24–5 | 15–1 | 5 |
| Vanderbilt University | Southeastern | 18–10 | 6–6 | 6 |
| University of Virginia | Atlantic Coast | 21–7 | 12–4 | 4 |
| University of Washington | Pacific-10 | 17–11 | 12–6 | 11 |
| Western Kentucky University | Sun Belt | 22–8 | 12–2 | 10 |

## Bids by conference

Thirty conferences earned an automatic bid. In eighteen cases, the automatic bid was the only representative from the conference. Thirty-four additional at-large teams were selected from twelve of the conferences.
| Bids | Conference | Teams |
| 7 | Southeastern | Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Vanderbilt |
| 6 | Atlantic Coast | North Carolina, Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina St., Virginia |
| 6 | Big 12 | Colorado, Iowa St., Kansas, Kansas St., Texas, Texas Tech |
| 5 | Big Ten | Iowa, Illinois, Michigan St., Northwestern, Purdue |
| 5 | Conference USA | Tulane, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette, Memphis |
| 5 | Pacific-10 | Stanford, Arizona, Oregon, Southern California, Washington |
| 2 | Atlantic 10 | St. Joseph's, George Washington |
| 2 | Big East | Connecticut, Notre Dame |
| 2 | Southland | Texas St., Stephen F. Austin |
| 2 | Sun Belt | Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky |
| 2 | West Coast | San Francisco, Portland |
| 2 | Western Athletic | San Diego St., Utah |
| 1 | America East | Maine |
| 1 | Big Sky | Montana |
| 1 | Big South | Liberty |
| 1 | Big West | UC Santa Barb. |
| 1 | Colonial | Old Dominion |
| 1 | Ivy | Harvard |
| 1 | Metro Atlantic | St. Peter's |
| 1 | Mid-American | Toledo |
| 1 | Mid-Continent | Troy |
| 1 | Mid-Eastern | Howard |
| 1 | Midwestern | Detroit |
| 1 | Missouri Valley | Drake |
| 1 | Northeast | St. Francis (PA) |
| 1 | Ohio Valley | Eastern Kentucky |
| 1 | Patriot | Lehigh |
| 1 | Southern | Marshall |
| 1 | Southwestern | Grambling State |
| 1 | Trans America | FIU |

## First and second rounds

In 1997, the field remained at 64 teams. The teams were seeded, and assigned to four geographic regions, with seeds 1-16 in each region. In Round 1, seeds 1 and 16 faced each other, as well as seeds 2 and 15, seeds 3 and 14, seeds 4 and 13, seeds 5 and 12, seeds 6 and 11, seeds 7 and 10, and seeds 8 and 9. In the first two rounds, the top four seeds were given the opportunity to host the first-round game. In most cases, the higher seed accepted the opportunity. The exception:
* Fourth seeded Tulane was unable to host due to a "facility/hotel availability conflict", so fifth seeded George Washington hosted three first and second-round games
Michigan State was involved in two overtime games, winning in the first round against Portland then losing in overtime in the second round against North Carolina. Old Dominion was also involved in two overtime games, winning in the second round against Purdue, then winning in the national semifinal game against Stanford.
The following table lists the region, host school, venue and the sixteen first and second round locations:
| Region | Rnd | Host | Venue | City | State |
| East | 1&2 | University of North Carolina | Carmichael Auditorium | Chapel Hill | North Carolina |
| East | 1&2 | University of Texas | Frank Erwin Center | Austin | Texas |
| East | 1&2 | University of Alabama | Coleman Coliseum | Tuscaloosa | Alabama |
| East | 1&2 | George Washington University | Charles E. Smith Athletic Center | Washington | District of Columbia |
| Mideast | 1&2 | Louisiana State University | LSU Assembly Center (Pete Maravich Assembly Center) | Baton Rouge | Louisiana |
| Mideast | 1&2 | Old Dominion University | Old Dominion University Fieldhouse | Norfolk | Virginia |
| Mideast | 1&2 | Louisiana Tech University | Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston | Louisiana |
| Mideast | 1&2 | University of Florida | O'Connell Center | Gainesville | Florida |
| Midwest | 1&2 | University of Tennessee | Thompson–Boling Arena | Knoxville | Tennessee |
| Midwest | 1&2 | University of Colorado | CU Events Center (Coors Events Center) | Boulder | Colorado |
| Midwest | 1&2 | University of Connecticut | Harry A. Gampel Pavilion | Storrs | Connecticut |
| Midwest | 1&2 | University of Illinois | Assembly Hall (Champaign) | Champaign | Illinois |
| West | 1&2 | University of Georgia | Georgia Coliseum (Stegeman Coliseum) | Athens | Georgia |
| West | 1&2 | University of Virginia | University Hall (University of Virginia) | Charlottesville | Virginia |
| West | 1&2 | Stanford University | Maples Pavilion | Stanford | California |
| West | 1&2 | University of Kansas | Allen Field House | Lawrence | Kansas |

## Regionals and Final Four

The Regionals, named for the general location, were held from March 22 to March 24 at these sites:
* East Regional Carolina Coliseum, Columbia, South Carolina (Host: University of South Carolina)
* Mideast Regional Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana (Host: Purdue University)
* Midwest Regional Carver–Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa (Host: University of Iowa)
* West Regional Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, Montana (Host: University of Montana)
Each regional winner advanced to the Final Four held March 28 and March 30 in Cincinnati at the Riverfront Coliseum

## Bids by state

The sixty-four teams came from thirty-two states, plus Washington, D.C. California had the most teams with five bids. Eighteen states did not have any teams receiving bids.
| Bids | State | Teams |
| 5 | California | San Diego St., San Francisco, Stanford, UC Santa Barb., Southern California |
| 4 | Louisiana | Grambling, Louisiana Tech, Tulane, LSU |
| 4 | Texas | Texas St., Stephen F. Austin, Texas, Texas Tech |
| 3 | Alabama | Auburn, Troy, Alabama |
| 3 | Illinois | DePaul, Illinois, Northwestern |
| 3 | Iowa | Drake, Iowa, Iowa St. |
| 3 | Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Western Kentuck. |
| 3 | North Carolina | North Carolina, Duke, North Carolina St. |
| 3 | Tennessee | Memphis, Tennessee, Vanderbilt |
| 3 | Virginia | Liberty, Old Dominion, Virginia |
| 2 | District of Columbia | Howard, George Washington |
| 2 | Florida | FIU, Florida |
| 2 | Indiana | Notre Dame, Purdue |
| 2 | Kansas | Kansas, Kansas St. |
| 2 | Michigan | Detroit, Michigan St. |
| 2 | Oregon | Oregon, Portland |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | Lehigh, St. Joseph's, St Francis |
| 1 | Arizona | Arizona |
| 1 | Colorado | Colorado |
| 1 | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| 1 | Georgia | Georgia |
| 1 | Maine | Maine |
| 1 | Maryland | Maryland |
| 1 | Massachusetts | Harvard |
| 1 | Montana | Montana |
| 1 | New Jersey | St. Peter's |
| 1 | Ohio | Toledo |
| 1 | South Carolina | Clemson |
| 1 | Utah | Utah |
| 1 | Washington | Washington |
| 1 | West Virginia | Marshall |
| 1 | Wisconsin | Marquette |

## Brackets

Data source
* – Denotes overtime period

### East Region

| First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Regional semifinals March 22 Carolina Coliseum Columbia, South Carolina | Regional semifinals March 22 Carolina Coliseum Columbia, South Carolina | Regional semifinals March 22 Carolina Coliseum Columbia, South Carolina | | Regional finals March 24 Carolina Coliseum Columbia, South Carolina | Regional finals March 24 Carolina Coliseum Columbia, South Carolina | Regional finals March 24 Carolina Coliseum Columbia, South Carolina |
| 1 | at North Carolina | 78 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Harvard | 53 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Harvard | 53 | 1 | North Carolina | 81$^{OT}$ | | | | | | | |
| | | | 8 | Michigan State | 71 | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Michigan State | 75$^{OT}$ | 8 | Michigan State | 71 | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Portland | 70 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Portland | 70 | | | | 1 | North Carolina | 46 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5 | George Washington | 55 | | | | |
| 5 | at George Washington† | 61 | | | | | | | 5 | George Washington | 55 | | | | |
| 12 | Northwestern | 46 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Northwestern | 46 | 5 | George Washington† | 81 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Tulane | 67 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Tulane | 72 | 4 | Tulane | 67 | | | | | | | |
| 13 | UCSB | 69 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 13 | UCSB | 69 | | | | | | | | 5 | George Washington | 52 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 6 | Notre Dame | 62 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 93 | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | Notre Dame | 62 |
| 11 | Memphis | 62 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 11 | Memphis | 62 | 6 | Notre Dame | 86 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Texas | 83 | | | | | | | |
| 3 | at Texas | 66 | 3 | Texas | 83 | | | | | | | |
| 14 | SW Texas State | 38 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 14 | SW Texas State | 38 | | | | 6 | Notre Dame | 87 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2 | Alabama | 71 | | | | |
| 7 | Saint Joseph's | 70 | | | | | | | 2 | Alabama | 71 | | | | |
| 10 | Kansas State | 52 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Kansas State | 52 | 7 | Saint Joseph's | 52 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2 | Alabama | 61 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | at Alabama | 94 | 2 | Alabama | 61 | | | | | | | |
| 15 | St. Francis (PA) | 50 | | | | | | | | | | |
† George Washington was a host as a #5 seed, as #4 seed Tulane's facility was considered inadequate by the NCAA.

### Mideast Region

| First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Regional semifinals March 22 Mackey Arena West Lafayette, Indiana | Regional semifinals March 22 Mackey Arena West Lafayette, Indiana | Regional semifinals March 22 Mackey Arena West Lafayette, Indiana | | Regional finals March 24 Mackey Arena West lafayette, Indiana | Regional finals March 24 Mackey Arena West lafayette, Indiana | Regional finals March 24 Mackey Arena West lafayette, Indiana |
| 1 | at Old Dominion | 102 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Liberty | 52 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Liberty | 52 | 1 | Old Dominion | 69$^{OT}$ | | | | | | | |
| | | | 8 | Purdue | 65 | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Purdue | 74 | 8 | Purdue | 65 | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Maryland | 48 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Maryland | 48 | | | | 1 | Old Dominion | 62 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | LSU | 49 | | | | |
| 5 | Clemson | 66 | | | | | | | 4 | LSU | 49 | | | | |
| 12 | Marquette | 70 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Marquette | 70 | 12 | Marquette | 58 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | LSU | 71 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | at LSU | 88 | 4 | LSU | 71 | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Maine | 79 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Maine | 79 | | | | | | | | 1 | Old Dominion | 53 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Florida | 51 |
| 6 | USC | 68 | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Florida | 51 |
| 11 | San Francisco | 55 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 11 | San Francisco | 55 | 6 | USC | 78 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Florida | 92 | | | | | | | |
| 3 | at Florida | 92 | 3 | Florida | 92 | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Florida International | 68 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Florida International | 68 | | | | 3 | Florida | 71 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2 | Louisiana Tech | 57 | | | | |
| 7 | Auburn | 68 | | | | | | | 2 | Louisiana Tech | 57 | | | | |
| 10 | Louisville | 65 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Louisville | 65 | 7 | Auburn | 48 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2 | Louisiana Tech | 74 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | at Louisiana Tech | 94 | 2 | Louisiana Tech | 74 | | | | | | | |
| 15 | Saint Peter's | 50 | | | | | | | | | | |

### Midwest Region

| First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Regional semifinals March 22 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa | Regional semifinals March 22 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa | Regional semifinals March 22 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa | | Regional finals March 24 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa | Regional finals March 24 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa | Regional finals March 24 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, Iowa |
| 1 | at Connecticut | 103 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Lehigh | 35 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Lehigh | 35 | 1 | Connecticut | 72 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 9 | Iowa | 53 | | | | | | | |
| 8 | North Carolina State | 50 | 9 | Iowa | 53 | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Iowa | 56 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Iowa | 56 | | | | 1 | Connecticut | 78 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Illinois | 73 | | | | |
| 5 | Duke | 70 | | | | | | | 4 | Illinois | 73 | | | | |
| 12 | DePaul | 56 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | DePaul | 56 | 5 | Duke | 67 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Illinois | 85 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | at Illinois | 79 | 4 | Illinois | 85 | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Drake | 62 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Drake | 62 | | | | | | | | 1 | Connecticut | 81 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Tennessee | 91 |
| 6 | Oregon | 80 | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Tennessee | 91 |
| 11 | San Diego State | 68 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 11 | San Diego State | 68 | 6 | Oregon | 59 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Tennessee | 76 | | | | | | | |
| 3 | at Tennessee | 91 | 3 | Tennessee | 76 | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Grambling State | 54 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Grambling State | 54 | | | | 3 | Tennessee | 75 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2 | Colorado | 67 | | | | |
| 7 | Stephen F. Austin | 79 | | | | | | | 2 | Colorado | 67 | | | | |
| 10 | Toledo | 66 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Toledo | 66 | 7 | Stephen F. Austin | 57 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2 | Colorado | 66 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | at Colorado | 69 | 2 | Colorado | 66 | | | | | | | |
| 15 | Marshall | 49 | | | | | | | | | | |

### West Region

| First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | First round March 14 and 15 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Second round March 16 and 17 Higher Seed's Home Court | Regional semifinals March 22 Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana | Regional semifinals March 22 Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana | Regional semifinals March 22 Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana | | Regional finals March 24 Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana | Regional finals March 24 Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana | Regional finals March 24 Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana |
| 1 | at Stanford | 111 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Howard | 59 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 16 | Howard | 59 | 1 | Stanford | 67 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 8 | Texas Tech | 45 | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Texas Tech | 47 | 8 | Texas Tech | 45 | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Montana | 45 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 9 | Montana | 45 | | | | 1 | Stanford | 91 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4 | Virginia | 69 | | | | |
| 5 | Utah | 66 | | | | | | | 4 | Virginia | 69 | | | | |
| 12 | Iowa State | 57 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12 | Iowa State | 57 | 5 | Utah | 46 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 4 | Virginia | 65 | | | | | | | |
| 4 | at Virginia | 96 | 4 | Virginia | 65 | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Troy State | 74 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 13 | Troy State | 74 | | | | | | | | 1 | Stanford | 82 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Georgia | 47 |
| 6 | Vanderbilt | 74 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Georgia | 47 |
| 11 | Washington | 62 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 11 | Washington | 62 | 6 | Vanderbilt | 51 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 3 | Kansas | 44 | | | | | | | |
| 3 | at Kansas | 81 | 3 | Kansas | 44 | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Detroit | 67 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 14 | Detroit | 67 | | | | 6 | Vanderbilt | 52 | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2 | Georgia | 66 | | | | |
| 7 | Arizona | 76 | | | | | | | 2 | Georgia | 66 | | | | |
| 10 | Western Kentucky | 54 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Western Kentucky | 54 | 7 | Arizona | 74 | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2 | Georgia | 80 | | | | | | | |
| 2 | at Georgia | 91 | 2 | Georgia | 80 | | | | | | | |
| 15 | Eastern Kentucky | 55 | | | | | | | | | | |

### Final Four

| National semifinals March 28 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati | National semifinals March 28 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati | National semifinals March 28 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati | National championship March 30 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati | National championship March 30 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati | National championship March 30 Riverfront Coliseum Cincinnati |
| E6 | Notre Dame | 66 | | | |
| MW3 | Tennessee | 80 | | | |
| MW3 | Tennessee | 80 | MW3 | Tennessee | 68 |
| | | | ME1 | Old Dominion | 59 |
| ME1 | Old Dominion | 83$^{OT}$ | ME1 | Old Dominion | 59 |
| W1 | Stanford | 82 | | | |
E-East; ME-Mideast; MW-Midwest; W-West.

## Record by conference

Thirteen conferences had more than one bid, or at least one win in NCAA Tournament play:
| Conference | # of Bids | Record | Win % | Round of 32 | Sweet Sixteen | Elite Eight | Final Four | Championship Game |
| Southeastern | 7 | 19–6 | .760 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Atlantic Coast | 6 | 5–6 | .455 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Big 12 | 6 | 5–6 | .455 | 4 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Pacific-10 | 5 | 7–5 | .583 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – |
| Big Ten | 5 | 5–5 | .500 | 4 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Conference USA | 5 | 2–5 | .286 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Big East | 2 | 7–2 | .778 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – |
| Atlantic 10 | 2 | 4–2 | .667 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – |
| Sun Belt | 2 | 2–2 | .500 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Southland | 2 | 1–2 | .333 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Western Athletic | 2 | 1–2 | .333 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| West Coast | 2 | 0–2 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Colonial | 1 | 5–1 | .833 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Seventeen conferences went 0-1: America East, Big Sky Conference, Big South Conference, Big West Conference, Ivy League, MAAC, MAC, Mid-Continent, MEAC, Midwestern Collegiate, Missouri Valley Conference, Northeast Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Patriot League, Southern Conference, SWAC, and Trans America

## All-Tournament team

* Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee
* Kellie Jolly, Tennessee
* Ticha Penicheiro, Old Dominion
* Nyree Roberts, Old Dominion
* Clarisse Machanguana, Old Dominion

## Game officials

* Sally Bell (semifinal)
* Carla Fujimoto (semifinal)
* Ray Bomeli (semifinal)
* John Morningstar (semifinal)
* Scott Yarbrough (semifinal)
* Judy Schneider (semifinal)
* Yvette McKinney (final)
* Dee Kantner (final)
* Violet Palmer (final)
Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer were hired into the NBA for its 1997-98 season, becoming the first female officials in any major North American professional sports league. Following her dismissal from the NBA in 2001, Kantner returned to women's college basketball and has officiated numerous Final Fours, while Palmer remained in the NBA through the 2015-16 season.