In some ways, Selection Monday looked the same as it always has. Teams anticipated their places in the N.C.A.A. women’s basketball tournament bracket from conference rooms and arenas around the country, their anxiety and celebrations shared with ESPN’s audience.
Over a year into the coronavirus pandemic, though, it was hard to watch without being reminded of a giant Zoom call to commemorate a milestone from a distance. And making this year’s 64-team N.C.A.A. tournament field is a huge milestone, even for programs that typically would be shocked not to have been selected.
When Stanford was announced as the No.