Women's Basketball

2026 WIAC Women’s Basketball Preview

MADISON, Wis.--The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its preview and predictions for the 2026 women’s basketball season. The predictions were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
 
UW-Oshkosh, the two-time defending champion, has been selected to claim the regular-season title. The Titans are ranked No. 3 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Preseason Poll and No. 5 in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division III Preseason Top 25, and were one of two WIAC teams to reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division III championship a year ago (along with UW-Stout). UW-Oshkosh has won 16 regular-season conference championships and seven tournament titles.
 
UW-Whitewater is ranked No. 24 by the WBCA and pegged for second in the WIAC race. The Warhawks captured the WIAC tournament title a year ago for the fourth time in program history.
 
UW-La Crosse is ranked No. 15 by D3hoops.com and picked to place third in the conference standings.
 
The remaining order in the conference predictions feature:  UW-Stout (fourth), UW-Stevens Point (fifth), UW-River Falls (sixth), UW-Eau Claire (seventh) and UW-Platteville (eighth).
 
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Nov. 7, while the 14-game conference schedule will start on Jan. 3. The top-six teams in the standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Feb. 23, 25, and 27, with all contests hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
 
2025-26 Preseason Predictions – Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
 
2024-25 Record
1. UW-Oshkosh (27-5 overall, 11-3 WIAC)
2. UW-Whitewater (24-7, 9-5)
3. UW-La Crosse (17-12, 7-7)
4. UW-Stout (23-8, 10-4)
5. UW-Stevens Point (18-9, 8-6)
6. UW-River Falls (14-12, 6-8)
7. UW-Eau Claire (8-17, 3-11)
8. UW-Platteville (8-17, 2-12)
 
 
Team Capsules

UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Tonja Englund; 26th season at UWEC; 414-253
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  11/5
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Kyla Overskei, Sr., G (2025-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Reanna Hutchinson, Sr., G; Kailey Tulachka, So., F
 

UW-La Crosse
Head Coach:  Moran Lonning; 4th season (3rd at UWL); 38-43 (overall) / 30-26 (at UWL)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/3
Starters Returning/Lost:  3/2
Returning All-WIAC:  Katie Waukau, Jr., G (2024-Newcomer of the Year)

Notable Returning Players:  Grace Knupp, Jr., G; Lindsey Knuth, Jr., F; Malia Nelson, Sr., G; Ali Sprangers, Sr., F


UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach:  Brad Fischer; 14th season at UWO; 287-76
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/5
Starters Returning/Lost:  3/2
Returning All-WIAC:  Sammi Beyer, Jr., G (2025-First); Sarah Hardwick, Sr., F (2023-Honorable, 2024-Defensive, 2025-Defensive); Kate Huml, Sr., G (2025-Honorable); Avery Poole, Sr., G (2025-Honorable); Paige Seckar, So., F (2025-Newcomer)

Notable Returning Players:  Mallory Hoitink, Jr., F; Mahra Wieman, Sr., F
 

UW-Platteville
Head Coach:  Kelly McNiff; 7th season at UWP; 57-79
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/7
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Ella Mackiewicz, Sr., F (2023-Honorable/Newcomer of the Year; 2024-First, 2025-Honorable)

Notable Returning Players:  Madalyn Reichmann, Sr., G; Lauren Sparks, Sr., F; Alexis Strom, Sr., G; Ashley Weir, Sr., G
 

UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Shelby Lyman; 4th season at UWRF; 42-35
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  13/7
Starters Returning/Lost:  4/1
Returning All-WIAC:  Zoey Buchan, Sr., G (Sr., G, 2025-First); Olivia Hoerl, Sr., F (2025-First)

Notable Returning Players:  Braelyn Beiler, So., G; Karleigh Creasey, Sr., G; Jocelyn Plonski, Jr., C
 
 
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Matt Hockett; 4th season at UWSP; 44-33
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  13/4
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/3
Returning All-WIAC:  None

Notable Returning Players:  Ava Loftus, Sr., G; Keira Maki, So., F; Maija Rice, Sr., G; Karissa Smith, Jr., G


UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Hannah Iverson; 8th season at UWS; 112-62
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  9/7
Starters Returning/Lost:  0/5
Returning All-WIAC:  None

Notable Returning Players:  Mary Berg, So., G; Julia Rybacki, So., G; Rosella Wille, Sr., F; Maraya Wiltrout, Jr., C


UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Keri Carollo; 24th season at UWW; 463-172
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  9/9
Starters Returning/Lost:  1/4
Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Mia Gillis, Jr., F; Bri McCurdy, Jr., G; Renee Rittmeyer, Jr., G  
 
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