The Tigers are no stranger to the big dance, making their fifth consecutive appearance in March. However, after dropping their last two tournament games, they’re looking to secure their first win since 2023.
Coming off a recent win over Harvard to secure the Ivy League Championship, No. 9 Princeton will travel to Los Angeles to play No. 8 Oklahoma State (23–9 overall, 12–6 Big 12) in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Daily Princetonian Sports section is making its picks for this exciting match-up.
Princeton 79, Oklahoma State 75 – Julian Benkin Danoff, Sports contributor
Oklahoma State is a very good basketball team. They have one of the best offenses in women’s basketball, averaging 81.5 points per game, which led them to a 23–9 record and fourth-place finish in the very competitive Big 12. They also have depth, with five players who average double digits, and a sixth who averages 9.9.
However, I predict Princeton will come out on top of this one. Princeton is perfectly capable of going bucket-for-bucket with OSU on a good day. The team is averaging 72.5 points per game, with five players also averaging double digits. Defensively, the Tigers have the edge, holding opponents to an average of 60 points per game compared to the Cowgirls’ opponents’ 63.5.
The recent form of these teams also would suggest a Princeton advantage. The Tigers have had seven victories in a row, most of which were blowouts, and they finished the season with an Ivy League championship. OSU lost in the first game of the Big 12 Championship to Kansas State, who had an 8–10 Big 12 record. And the last time the Cowgirls faced a ranked opponent, West Virginia, they lost by 32.
Crucially, Princeton is also playing with something to prove. After going out in the first round last year, missing senior guard Madison St. Rose, the Tigers are now looking at the best team they have had in years. This is also the last year of this roster core being intact, as St. Rose and senior forward Taylor Charles will be moving on after this season, and so the Tigers will be eager to make the most of it. Expect a relatively high-scoring dogfight, in which the Tigers ultimately come out on top.
Princeton 76, Oklahoma State 70 – Xavier Latimer, Sports contributor
Princeton women’s basketball enters the NCAA Tournament in familiar territory — dangerous, experienced, and more than capable of pulling off a first-round win. Fresh off another Ivy League regular-season title and Ivy Madness championship, the Tigers bring both momentum and confidence into a matchup against a physical Oklahoma State squad.
Everything runs through the Tiger guard tandem of juniors Ashley Chea and Skye Belker, who both control tempo and create efficient offense. Alongside them, St. Rose has developed into a matchup problem, stretching defenses while still attacking the rim. The Tigers’ strength, though, remains on the defensive end. Princeton ranks among the nation’s most efficient defensive teams, consistently forcing opponents into low-percentage looks and long possessions.
Oklahoma State will try to disrupt that rhythm. The Cowgirls thrive on pressure, turnovers, and transition scoring, using their size and athleticism to turn games chaotic. If Princeton gets sloppy with the ball or loses the rebounding battle, Oklahoma State has the tools to take control quickly.
But Princeton’s experience in this spot matters. This core has played — and won — on this stage before, and their ability to dictate pace is key. After a disappointing first-round exit last season, the Tigers will look for a different outcome this time around. If they can slow the game down and limit turnovers, they’ll be playing on to Sunday.
Expect a physical, back-and-forth game early. But with their composure and defensive discipline, Princeton will have the edge later in the game to grind out another March win.
Princeton 74, Oklahoma State 70 – Jordan Halagao, assistant Sports editor
With a tough out-of-conference schedule, Princeton played a few tournament teams, notching wins over eleven-seed Rhode Island and ten-seed Villanova, with its only loss coming against five-seed Maryland. It can be argued that this Princeton team has proved itself against high-caliber teams.
However, Oklahoma State, as an eight-seed, presents a balanced offensive attack, with five players averaging double-digits, led by guard Micah Gray at 13.7 points per game. This Cowgirls team plays fast, ranks second in the Big 12 in total points per game, and 15th nationally.
Expect Princeton to perform a defensive masterclass to slow down the Cowgirls’ high-flying offense. They’ll lean on their strong defensive identity that Head Coach Carla Berube has worked to build during her tenure at Princeton. This year, the team has shown success with active defense, constant disruption, and forcing turnovers. Princeton ranks first in the Ivy League in both turnover margin and assist-to-turnover ratio. Look for them to be disruptive against Oklahoma State too.
I foresee Princeton’s own balanced offensive attack, where all five starters also average double-digits, stepping up to the moment. Both St. Rose, who missed Princeton’s First Four match-up last year due to injury, and junior forward Fadima Tall came up big in the recent Ivy Madness Tournament, and will do so again.
Princeton should take advantage of Oklahoma State’s poor three-point defense, which ranks second to last in the Big 12, while Princeton ranks first in the Ivy League in team three-point percentage. While the Tigers did not live by the three against Harvard, only going 1–for–9, they’ve shown the ability to get hot from beyond the arc in recent wins over Brown and Dartmouth, splashing nine threes in both.
Julian Benkin Danoff is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Xavier Latimer is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Jordan Halagao is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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