The walls of the Lilly Center second floor are covered with awards from basketball seasons past, headlines reading "Champions," posters with motivational phrases and pictures of successful team after successful team.
Forty-four regulation games have come and gone over the past two seasons, with every one in the win column for the Tigers. Under the helm of head coach Kris Huffman, the Tigers have ascended to a new pinnacle of basketball dominance. Since 1993 Huffman has won 82 percent of her games. With a 34-0 record last season and a 20-0 start to this season, however, the DePauw women have taken their basketball program to new heights.
Last season began with the Tigers having a bit of a chip on their shoulder after an early exit in the NCAA tournament the year before. Since March 3, 2012, the Tigers have not felt the pain of defeat.
Consistency has been the name of the game for the Tigers as matchup after matchup they either dominate, outclass or simply find a way to defeat an opponent. Such success, specifically the national championship, has earned DePauw a national reputation of being one of the main teams to beat in the country. The undefeated Tigers realize the situation they are in, and cope with the pressure that comes along with being the top team in a tough conference.
"We've been undefeated in the conference and the target on our backs is huge right now," senior Ali Ross said about the pressure to continue the winning streak. "Teams are going to come out and have their best games against us."
The Tigers entered this season with the number one ranking, and have maintained that ranking throughout the season. This has placed monumental target on the Tigers' back because of their reputation.
"We talk about it a lot," Huffman said. "If we're going to play a good opponent today, then add bout fifteen points because they're playing you. We're really trying to intentionally focus this team, but it takes work and effort for them to do that."
In order to remain consistent, the Tigers have had to prepare the same way for each game. They do not look at a team's record or match ups, which allows the Tigers to remain on top of their own game.
"We have to do everything right on our end, and then be able to overcome our weaknesses during the game, which helps us against teams that may have a certain record or are ranked," Ross said.
Additionally, Huffman has stressed the importance of maintaining perspective in light of each and every win.
"Say you win a game by 20 points, that's seven to 10 possessions in a ball game," Huffman said. "So we try to paint the picture of how few possessions that really is that makes a margin that looks like an easy win to others."
The team's confidence has not waned under pressure. However, as a unit, the Tigers do not focus on the past and see this year's team as a new team despite losing only three seniors last season.
Junior guard and leading scorer Savannah Trees commented on her new role in the team in lieu of the loss of players.
"The only thing that has changed from last year is I am looking for my shot more, especially since we lost three main scorers from last years team," Trees said. "Playing the point position helps with that role because the ball is in my hands more often."
Trees has had an impressive scoring record this season, averaging 14.2 points per game and a 47.7 shooting percentage. Trees' 283 total points have earned her the top spot for total scoring on the team and sixth in the NCAC total points column.
Other main offensive contributors include sophomore guard Emma Odnik, with her conference leading 50.5 shooting percentage from three point range averaging 10.4 points per game, and junior forward Alison Stevens' third best 8.2 rebounds per game.
Not only have upperclassmen stepped up into their new roles, but the incoming first-year players have played a large part in continuing the consistent high level of play that has kept the Tigers at the top.
First-year guard Alexa Gaumer commented on coming into an undefeated team and making an impact by providing security in depth off the bench.
"It's been a really fun and cool experience coming into a team that had such a historical run last year," Gaumer said. "It's something special and coming into it was something I never dreamed of. It's a great experience that not many people get to come into."
The contribution from the first-years has provided the Tigers with a multitude of options off the bench going into the NCAC tournament, a tournament the Tigers plan to win.
"In our opinion you have to win the conference tournament to get that bid," Huffman said. "We've got a really tough schedule, two tough games at home, as well as two tough games on the road with Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan."
Looking forward for the Tigers, another big matchup will take place on Feb. 15 against Kenyon College. After the game, however, the presentation of the National Championship Banner will take place. In typical Tigers fashion, however, the team will not be fazed.
"There is a rivalry and a great history there [against Kenyon].," Huffman said. So what we don't want to do is mix last year's memories in preparation for this year's game."