Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Becomes First Ivy Team to Earn Ranking in USA Today Coaches Poll
January 06, 2015 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON EARNS HIGHEST-EVER RANKING IN AP POLL
COMPLETE AP/USA TODAY TOP-25 POLLS
PRINCETON, N.J. – For the first time in program history, the Princeton University women's basketball team cracked the top-25 of the USA Today Coaches poll, punching in at No. 24.
The first Ivy League team to appear in the coaches poll, the Tigers first began receiving votes on Dec. 22. The following week, Princeton earned 35 points before receiving 79 points in the latest edition. Also ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll, the Tigers are the first Ivy team to appear in both national polls at the same time.
“We're very honored to earn the respect of the coaches in our business,” said head coach Courtney Banghart. “We're proud of our showing during the non-conference portion of our schedule and are excited for the start of Ivy League play.”
As of games played through Jan. 5, the Tigers are also slotted No. 24 in the NCAA RPI Rankings, No. 5 in the Jeff Sagarin/CBN Women's Basketball Ratings, and No. 3 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25.
In 2011-12 Princeton became the first member of the Ancient Eight to receive a national ranking, coming in at No. 24 in the final AP poll. The Orange and Black also received votes in the each of the final nine USA Today Coaches polls.
“In the second half of the season we'll remain focused on how hard we play, our individual and collective development from training session to training session, and our team discipline to the next gameplan,” Banghart said. “This is a true team – side to side, top to bottom – on a special journey.”