With no men’s teams qualifying, a nationally ranked Princeton squad carries the state’s presence into this year’s NCAA Tournament.
Princeton, NJ – The Princeton University women’s basketball team will be the only New Jersey program competing in the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournaments, marking a rare year in which the state has no representation on the men’s side. The Tigers enter the postseason as a No. 9 seed, continuing a streak of national relevance under head coach Carla Berube.
Key Points
- Princeton women are NJ’s only team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament
- Tigers enter as No. 9 seed with a 26-3 record and Ivy League title
- First-round matchup set against No. 8 Oklahoma State on Saturday
Princeton secured its place in the tournament after a dominant season that included a 26-3 overall record and a 12-2 mark in Ivy League play. The team clinched the outright conference title with a 78-55 win over Yale and followed it with an Ivy League Tournament championship, defeating Brown 65-51 and Harvard 63-53.
National ranking and tournament experience
The Tigers entered March Madness ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and have now reached the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year and seventh straight appearance overall. This marks the program’s 13th trip to the national tournament.
Princeton is considered one of the top mid-major programs in the country and earned the distinction of being the highest-seeded mid-major team in this year’s field.
Key players and matchup outlook
Senior Madison St. Rose leads the Tigers after returning from an ACL injury last season, anchoring a roster that also includes Ivy League Tournament MVP Fiona Tall and standout guard Ashley Chea.
The team will face No. 8 seed Oklahoma State, which enters with a 23-9 record out of the Big 12, in a first-round game scheduled for Saturday in Los Angeles. The winner will advance to face either No. 1 seed UCLA or No. 16 Cal Baptist.
Princeton’s resume includes six wins over power conference opponents this season, underscoring its ability to compete beyond the Ivy League.
New Jersey absence on men’s side
While Princeton carries the banner for the state, no New Jersey men’s teams qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking a notable absence for programs across the state.
The Tigers, known for their defensive discipline and perimeter shooting, now enter the tournament aiming to advance beyond the opening round for the first time since 2023.
Photo by Princeton Womens Basketball/Facebook