Stanford women's basketball is at risk of not making the women's NCAA Tournament for the first time in 36 seasons — the second-longest streak in women's college basketball history.

The Cardinal (16-13, 8-10 in Big Ten play) have one guaranteed game remaining on its schedule this year: on Wednesday, against Clemson in the first round of the women's ACC tournament. It's a game first-year coach Kate Paye and Co. almost certainly needs to win to stay on the bubble. Stanford will likely also need a few more conference tournament wins to earn a bid, as well.

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The 2024-25 season has been a struggle for the blue-blood program, as Stanford has had to rely on numerous new players after losing No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink to the WNBA and legendary Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer to retirement. She had led the Cardinal to NCAA Tournament runs in all but two of her 38 seasons, winning three national championships with 13 Final Fours appearances.

Can Paye keep the Cardinal's NCAA Tournament streak alive? Here's a look at Stanford's NCAA Tournament chances, including what the Cardinal need to avoid breaking its long-standing streak:

Stanford women's basketball NCAA Tournament chances

The Cardinal are currently on the outside looking in, according to the latest bracketology update by ESPN.

Stanford is listed as a "next four out team," currently as the No. 6 runner-up to the last at-large bid in the projection. Stanford has some chances to improve its resume, although the Cardinal have virtually no room for error to avoid losing its NCAA Tournament streak.

Here's what the Cardinals might need to reach the big dance:

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Can Stanford make the women's NCAA Tournament?

Firstly, Stanford almost certainly needs a win over Clemson on Wednesday night, which would mark the Cardinal's third consecutive victory.

Stanford will likely need a run in the ACC tournament, and it won't be easy. The conference includes top teams in the country such as Notre Dame and North Carolina State, who are not only firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture, but also ranked Nos. 6 and 8 in the most recent USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, respectively.

If the Cardinal beat Clemson in the first round of the ACC tournament, they'll advance to play No. 6 Louisville in the second round, which could be another nice bump in the NCAA Tournament resume. A win over Louisville would pit Stanford against No. 3 Duke on Saturday, and a win there might just be enough for the Cardinal to get into the field.

From there, Stanford would need to win two more games to win the women's ACC tournament — the only guaranteed entry into the women's NCAA Tournament.

When did Stanford last miss women's NCAA Tournament?

The last year Stanford missed the women's NCAA Tournament was in the 1986-87 season. VanDerveer, then in her second year leading the program, led the Cardinal to a 14-14 overall record and 8-10 mark in Pac-10 play.

She led the team to the NCAA Tournament berth the following year, beginning a stretch run that has thus far lasted through the 2023-24 women's college basketball season.

Longest women's NCAA Tournament streaks

Here are the longest active NCAA Tournament streaks in women's college basketball, according to the NCAA:

• 1. Tennessee 1982-present (42)

• 2. Stanford 1988-present (36)

• 3. UConn 1989-present (35)

• 4. Baylor 2004-present (20)

• T-5. Louisville 2011-present (13)

• T-5. Maryland 2011-present (13)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can Stanford make NCAA Tournament? Cardinal's 36-year streak in doubt