Has this NCAA men’s basketball tournament felt a bit lackluster to you? It’s been interesting, but not thrilling. Let’s hope it picks up as it goes along.
The biggest surprise in the first round? High Point took down Wisconsin in a close game, finishing 83-82. A great win for the Panthers, but probably not one we’ll talk about years from now.
What really caught my attention was a graphic during the Iowa State-Kentucky game. It showcased three legendary players alongside a newcomer I hadn’t heard of. This young player transferred from Oklahoma after attending Blair Academy in New Jersey. If you’re around my age, you surely recognize names like Oscar Robertson and Larry Bird. But Bill Bradley? If you don’t know where he played, just check out the statue outside Jadwin Gym.
Did you know assists weren’t officially tracked in college basketball until the 1974-75 season? They sometimes appeared in box scores before then, but not consistently. For example, in the 1965 NCAA regional final between Princeton and Providence, Bradley had an impressive game: 41 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. That performance almost gave him a triple-double! It’s hard to believe that assists weren’t part of the official stats back then. Who knows how many triple-doubles he might have achieved in college?
Imagine scoring 41 points and it not being your best game. Two games later, Bradley dominated with 58 points in what was then the consolation match—a Final Four record that stands to this day.
Shifting focus to the present, the Princeton women’s basketball team faced a tough loss, 82-68, against Oklahoma State. They struggled early, trailing by 10 after the first quarter and 18 points early in the second. Despite rallying to get within four points at times, a late 9-0 run from the Cowgirls sealed the game.
Signing out after 96 wins, four NCAA Tournaments, and three Ivy League titles. Thank you, @nat_strose and @taylorrcharless. #GetStops 🐅 pic.twitter.com/NBIMAIU0Qo
— Princeton WBB (@PrincetonWBB) March 22, 2026
In this match, Madison St. Rose stood out with 17 points in her final game. After facing injury challenges, she’s leaving a strong legacy behind. St. Rose finished her career with 1,215 points, just shy of the program’s all-time top 10.
Another senior, Taylor Charles, had five points and two blocks. Throughout her career, she contributed significantly to the team’s success in four NCAA tournaments.
Skye Belker added 14 points, bringing her total to 1,004 before her senior year. Ashley Chea also scored 14 and heads into next season with 847 points. If she maintains her performance, she could climb to No. 2 on the all-time assist list at Princeton.
The Tigers wrapped up their season with a remarkable 26-4 record. This speaks volumes about what Princeton women’s basketball has achieved. Their consistent excellence in the Ivy League is unmatched and continues to strengthen their legacy each season.
