OPENING SHOT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Kate Miller takes a shot in a recent practice. Last Sunday, senior forward Miller and the Tigers got their 2012-13 season off to a good start as they opened with a 69-59 win at St. Joseph’s. Princeton, the three-time defending Ivy League champion, will look to keep on the winning track when it plays at Marist on November 17 and then hosts Rider on November 20.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Even though the Princeton University women’s basketball team has gone 41-1 in Ivy League play over the last three seasons and was picked first in the league’s 2012-13 media preseason poll, Kate Miller doesn’t believe complacency will be an issue this winter.

“It is really exciting going into the year,” said senior forward Miller, a native of Rumson, N.J.

“We have so much pride that we have built over the years and the coaches have done a great job of keeping it within the lines. We play for the name on the front of our shirts and that is all that matters.”

The team’s outstanding play over the last three years has been fueled by a selfless mentality.

“It is something special to have such a talented group of girls that care more about each other than themselves individually,” added Miller.

“I think as long as we keep that and we just fight for Princeton, the target makes it fun.”

Miller and the Tigers had fun last Sunday as they topped St. Joseph’s 69-59 in the season opener. Senior star Niveen Rasheed scored a team-high 14 points for the Tigers while junior guard Nicole Hung chipped in 12.

The 6’0 Miller contributed two points and two rebounds in the victory as she began her second season as a full-time starter for the Tigers.

“You definitely have to own up a little more,” said Miller, reflecting on her play last winter when she averaged 5.9 points and 3.2 rebounds a game.

“This team is great, no one is super selfish; they let you play to your strengths more. I looked to be more of an offensive threat but also stay within the role of our offense and defense. This isn’t a team about superstars or stats, it just works to have all of us fight for the win. That’s all I want.”

With the graduation of Devona Allgood and Lauren Edwards, who combined for nearly 2,500 points in their Tiger careers, Miller knows that she needs to put up some more offensive stats.

“I think missing those two, all of us have to really step up and fill those missing points,” said Miller.

“I think we have the talent to do it. For me, being a senior and having three years under my belt will help with that.”

Getting the game against St. Joe’s under their belt was a good first step for the Tigers.

“It is always exciting to see where we stand,” added Miller, who will look to help keep the squad on the winning track as it plays at Marist on November 17 before hosting Rider on November 20.

“We practice against each other. We know our offenses and our plays so it is nice to put it against someone who doesn’t know.”

Miller and her teammates are excited about Princeton’s non-conference schedule which will pit it against a number of national powers as it hones things before getting into the Ivy season.

“Our coaches match us up against really tough teams,” said Miller, reflecting on a schedule that includes such foes as UCLA, Rutgers, DePaul, Villanova, Delaware, and Navy.

“We might have more losses than we are used to but to play in those games gives us the experience that we will all benefit from over the long term of the season. It is a marathon, not a sprint. It is good to get the kinks out and the experience in the preseason and then we go through the Ivies. Being able to recall games and how we played against our preseason teams really helps to build that confidence if we get back to postseason play.”

For Miller and her fellow seniors, Rasheed, Lauren Polansky, and Meg Bowen, making some noise in the postseason is a major goal.

“We came in and we have been fighting for four years for a tournament win,” said Miller.

“We got really close last year. This is the year where it really is your team and I think the four of us feel that and hope it resonates through the team.”