The Western Illinois University Leathernecks women’s basketball team will compete against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament at 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 20, according to a March 19 announcement.
The matchup marks an important moment for the Leathernecks, who have earned a spot in one of college basketball’s most prominent events. The university is encouraging fans to support the team by attending official watch parties across the country or joining a pregame social event in Chapel Hill for those traveling to North Carolina.
Fans unable to attend in person are invited by the Western Illinois University Alumni Association to gather at designated locations nationwide. The association is also seeking additional hosts for watch parties and encourages interested individuals to email a-association@wiu.edu to be included on the official list. “Fans are encouraged to wear purple and gold, arrive early and bring the energy as the Leathernecks take on North Carolina on the national stage,” organizers said.
Official watch party locations include several venues throughout Illinois—such as Buffalo Wild Wings in Galesburg, Sports Corner and City Hall in Macomb, Red Barn Restaurant and Brewery in Mt. Prospect, White Tavern in Naperville, Big Behm’s Sports Bar in Peoria Heights, Poor Boy’s Pizza & Pub in Rock Island, and Urban Forest Craft Brewing in Rockford—as well as sites outside Illinois like The 1972 Pub in Austin, Texas and Brew Brothers in Boonville, Missouri. For updates and more locations, fans can visit the WIU Alumni website.
According to the official website, Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Basketball holds its home games on campus in Macomb, Illinois. The team competes as part of intercollegiate athletics within the Ohio Valley Conference and adopted its nickname “Leathernecks” to honor the U.S. Marine Corps. The program operates from Macomb as an official athletics offering of Western Illinois University.
For ongoing updates about Leatherneck Athletics or information about following games online or via social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, supporters are directed to GoLeathernecks.com.
