Princeton University Athletics
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Princeton Women's Basketball Game Against Michigan to be Aired on ESPN2
August 19, 2015 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Building on the momentum gained from last year's historic campaign, the Princeton University women's basketball team will make an appearance on national television this season with its Dec. 6 showdown against the University of Michigan slated to be aired on ESPN2.
“It's very exciting for our program, university, and fan base to have ESPN2 televise a game here in Jadwin Gymnasium,” said head coach Courtney Banghart. “We're proud to have earned national relevance and attention. It is a testament to Princeton, the Ivy League, and the many who have worn the Orange and Black. Jadwin is a historic venue and will be ready to welcome the national audience. The 2015-16 Tiger team is already hard at work for the year ahead.”
In order to accommodate the TV broadcast, tip-off has been moved to 4 p.m. (EST). Last season, Princeton cruised to an 85-55 victory over the Wolverines at Crisler Arena. Four Tigers scored in double figures, led by Michelle Miller, who finished with 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
“It's exciting to play Princeton on ESPN2 after their historic season a year ago” said Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico. “With a lot of our players from the East Coast, they will get a chance to play in front of their friends and family in what will be a great environment. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our program on the national stage.”
Last year's win against Michigan was a part of a historic 31-1 season for the Tigers, which included an unblemished 30-0 regular season. Climbing as high as No. 13 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls, Princeton earned the highest-ever rankings for an Ivy program and secured a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament – the best-ever for an Ivy team. With an 80-70 victory over No. 9 Green Bay, the Tigers joined the 1998 Harvard squad as the only Ivy women's basketball programs to record an NCAA win.
This season, Princeton will face 11 opponents that earned postseason berths (NCAA, WNIT) a year ago. Of Princeton's 12 non-conference foes, six finished the past season in the top 50 of the NCAA's final RPI rankings, with eight closing out the year in the top 100.
This will be just the third meeting between Princeton and Michigan with the duo splitting the first two contests. The Wolverines took the inaugural showdown in 1997-98, 61-58. December's match-up will be the first game played on Princeton's home floor in the series.