NORTHAMPTON - The Smith College basketball team was ranked No. 14 in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball selection committee's reveal of the Top 16 seeds on Thursday night's episode of Hoopsville hosted by D3hoops.com's Dave McHugh. 





 

With an overall record of 23-1 and a perfect 10-0 mark in the NEWMAC, Smith is ranked No. 1 in the region, No. 5 by the WBCA, No. 6 by D3hoops.com and a No. 14 NPI rank through games Feb. 18, 2026. The NPI rating is the primary metric used by the NCAA to determine the postseason tournament bracket. It conjoins wins, losses, strength of schedule, and quality wins to metrically rank each team.

The five-time defending NEWMAC Champion have a chance to complete a second-straight undefeated conference season when the Bears face MIT on Saturday in the final game of the regular season. Smith clinched the regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament with Wednesday's win at Babson. The full NEWMAC Tournament bracket will be announced on Saturday night. 

The full 64 team field for the NCAA Tournament will be announced by the committee on the NCAA Women's Basketball Selection Show set to air on NCAA.com on Monday, March 2.

The Bears have been led by Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) who leads the team in scoring (12.3), rebounding (6.4), and three-point field goals made (62). For her efforts last week, she was named to the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) Second Team Weekly Honor Roll. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.