Princeton Tigers
Ivy League (22-6, 13-1)
Princeton was rarely tested during their run to another Ivy League title. That has usually been the case over the last few years as Coach Courtney Banghart led the Tigers to their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. This version of the Tigers has plenty of depth and plenty of experience so this could be the year Princeton wins a game in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/11 at St. Joseph’s (69-59), 11/29 Rutgers (71-55), 12/19 at Illinois State (67-50)
Bad Losses: 11/17 at Marist (45-56), 12/12 at Villanova (54-61), 3/1 at Harvard (55-58)
Coach: Courtney Banghart
Why They Can Surprise:
Niveen Rasheed is the superstar of this team. She has the size, strength and quickness to be a major force on both ends of the floor. Offensively she averages 16.9 points per game and dishes out 3.3 assists. Rasheed is not the most consistent outside shooter around, but the 6-0 senior can keep the opposition honest by knocking down the occasional long ball. However, she will do most of her scoring around the basket. The term best rebounding guard in the nation is thrown around quite a bit, but in this case we just may mean it. Rasheed averages 9.0 rebounds per contest. As if that was not enough defensively, she also averages 2.6 steals per game. Rasheed’s effort on the glass makes the Tigers one of the best rebounding teams in the nation.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is a very unselfish team and it is not dominated by Rasheed as much as it could be. However, Rasheed will need help if Princeton expects to find success in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Guard Lauren Polansky has stepped into a starting role, but she is not a threat to score at all. Yet, Polansky has done an admirable job creating offense and playing defense. Reserves Blake Dietrick and Michelle Miller are counted on to stretch out the defense with their outside shooting ability. If those two are not hitting shots or are not in the game, the Tigers must get production on the inside from Kristen Helmstetter, Megan Bowen, Alex Wheatley or Kate Miller. The options are there, but the consistency may be an issue. Princeton will need a couple players to step up offensively and help take the pressure off of Rasheed or it will be another early exit for Princeton.
Probable Starters:
Lauren Polansky, Senior, Guard, 1.0 ppg, 2.2 apg
Niveen Rasheed, Senior, Guard, 16.9 ppg, 3.3 apg, 9.0 rpg, 2.6 spg
Kate Miller, Senior, Forward, 5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Kristen Helmstetter, Junior, Forward, 9.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Megan Bowen, Senior, Center, 8.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Blake Dietrick, Sophomore, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 2.8 apg
Michelle Miller, Freshman, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Mariah Smith, Sophomore, Guard, 5.2 ppg, 1.4 apg
Alex Wheatley, Freshman, Forward, 5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.2 (21st in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 53.5 (28, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (28, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 33.9 (10, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (102, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.7 (74, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.8 (238, 8)
Rebound Margin: 10.9 (6, 1)
Assists Per Game: 16.5 (18, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.6 (51, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
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 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
