Princeton Tigers
Ivy League (30-0, 14-0)
Princeton has emerged onto the national landscape of women’s college basketball under the leadership of head coach Courtney Banghart. Thanks to excellent player development, this Tigers team has won all 30 of their games heading into NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are going to be a bit of an underdog despite being undefeated and that will make them a dangerous threat to get to the Sweet 16 or beyond in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/14 at Pittsburgh (59-43), 11/16 at Duquesne (79-62), 12/9 at Michigan (85-55)
Bad Losses: None
Coach: Courtney Banghart
Why They Can Surprise:
If you can shoot the basketball at a high level like the Tigers, you have a chance to do some serious damage in the NCAA Tournament. Princeton has flirted with shooting 50 percent as a team this season and they have hovered around 40 percent from behind the three point line as well. Blake Dietrick and Michelle Miller have been outstanding as a combination and have combined for well over 100 made three-pointers between the two of them. Dietrick is the leader as the senior, but Miller’s ability to dominate from the outside is a huge asset for Princeton heading into the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers also have done well against teams from power five conferences, so they won’t be intimidated by whoever they play.
Why They Can Disappoint:
It will be interesting to see how the Tigers handle the pressure of the role of the underdog. The free throw shooting could be a potential problem in a tight game as Princeton has shot less than 70 percent from the free throw line this season. Turnover differential is another key stat to watch. The Tigers don’t force a lot more turnovers than they commit during a game. This is important as possessions will be at a premium and it would help Princeton if they could cause closer to 20 or so turnovers a game in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Blake Dietrick, Senior, Guard. 14.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.7 rpg
Michelle Miller, Junior, Guard, 11.6 ppg, 1.5 apg, 4.4 rpg
Amanda Berntsen, Junior, Guard, 7.1 ppg, 1.8 apg
Annie Tarakachian, Junior, Guard/Forward, 10.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Alex Wheatley, Junior, Forward, 10.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Vanessa Smith, Sophomore, Guard, 7.1 ppg, 1.3 apg
Taylor Williams, Junior, Forward, 5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Leslie Robinson, Freshman, Forward, 3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Mariah Smith, Senior, Forward, 3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.3 (14th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 52.0 (7, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.7 (3, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 33.7 (3, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (92, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 40.4 (2, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.5 (180, 5)
Rebound Margin: 11.5 (6, 1)
Assists Per Game: 17.3 (12, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.6 (80, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NIT First Round win over VCU
2014 NIT Second Round loss to Seton Hall
2013 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Florida State
2012 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Kansas State
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Georgetown
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to St. John's
*all team stats through 3/5
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
