How to watch, preview, and prediction for the 2024 DII women’s basketball championship game

Minnesota State and Texas Woman's are all that are left in the DII women's basketball season. The two have navigated the bracket and will face off for the national championship this weekend. Here's everything you need to know.

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• A complete guide to the DII women's basketball championship

The DII women's basketball championship game: Where to watch

Minnesota State and Texas Woman's will play Friday, March 29, at 8 p.m. ET from St. Joseph, Civic Arena in St. Joseph, MO. You can watch all the action on CBS Sports Network.

Minnesota State vs. Texas Woman's: By the numbers

Minnesota State is looking for its second national title, winning it all in 2009, as Texas Woman's is on a historic run, rewriting the program record book with every win, now in their first DII women's basketball championship game ever. A simple look at the numbers tells you essentially what you need to know: Can Texas Woman's significantly stouter defense slow down Minnesota State's offense, which is No. 4 in DII women's basketball this season?

The Mavericks have won 10 in a row, most of which came in a dominating run in the postseason. They are led by a Big Three of Joey Batt, Destinee Bursch and Natalie Bremer in scoring, each contributing more than 15.3 points per game. While the Mavericks do allow opponents to get their shots, they are also uber-aggressive and have the second-most steals in DII, so the Pioneers have to be ready for a fast-paced game. Batt, Bremer, Emily Herzberg and Hannah Herzig all have at least 70 steals on the season.

The Pioneers have won nine in a row entering the final matchup of the season. Minnesota State needs to find a way to shut down Ashley Ingram... but good luck with that. She has been one of the best all year — averaging 18.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and nearly four assists per game while shooting 59.8 percent from the floor — and has turned it up in the postseason with four double-doubles in her past six tournament games. Scout Huffman has been particularly hot of late, but this team has plenty of players that contribute in the scoring column. The Pioneers win this game by setting — and controlling throughout — their tempo and not letting Minnesota State get into their rhythm. 

DII women’s basketball championship game prediction

Well, there should be no surprises here. I had Minnesota State higher than anyone else in the preseason Power 10 rankings. I predicted the No. 7-seeded Mavericks would romp through the Central Region, which they did, winning each game by no fewer than 12 points. And yes, I predicted the No. 5-seeded Minnesota State Mavericks in the DII Women's Elite Eight would reach the final game. 

Now, they will win it. It is nothing against Texas Woman's. The Pioneers are a very good team. However, since October before the season even tipped off, Minnesota State was — and remained — one of the best, minus three or four other teams. This team recorded four of its five losses on the season in its first six games, and everyone wrote them off... well, almost everyone. The Mavericks are 29-1 since those early-season woes. Plus, one of those early season losses came to, you guessed it, Texas Woman's. You don't think the Mavericks are extra geared up for this game?

Last year, I not only predicted the correct winner (Ashland), I nearly had the exact score correct. Let's see how it goes this year.

Winner: Minnesota State over Texas Woman's, 73-66.