Big Ten women's basketball report: Conference play resumes
The Big Ten re-starts its league season this weekend
Where things stand inside the Big Ten:
• As a refresher, here’s how the coaches and the media voted in the preseason poll:
USC
UCLA
Ohio State
Maryland
Indiana
Both polls were the same. Nothing much has changed, especially at the top. The top four teams at the beginning of the season are still the top four teams in late December. You can debate the order, but there’s a clear dividing line between the top four and the rest of the league. While USC earned the edge in the preseason polls - thanks to JuJu Watkins, who has already wrapped up Big Ten Player of the Year honors - UCLA is considered the better team from top to bottom. The Bruins own a victory over then-No. 1 South Carolina at home and the Women of Troy won at Connecticut before Christmas. There’s not much separation between the two, and it will likely be settled when the two teams play twice in nearly three weeks at the end of the season. Both are capable of going 18-0 during the regular season.
• If the top four are still the top four, what teams are capable of challenging for one of those coveted double-byes in the conference tournament? Indiana no longer belongs. Michigan State can make a case for moving up. The Spartans’ lone loss was against Alabama, and they’re 2-1 in Quad 1 matchups. Michigan has two losses - South Carolina and Oklahoma - by a combined 16 points and features two of the league’s top freshmen - Syla Swords and Oliva Olson. Despite losing to MSU, Iowa has the talent and experience to hang around the top four. The Hawkeyes’ other loss came against Tennessee, the No. 1 scoring team in the country.
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• If USC and UCLA didn’t win the league, Maryland would be the choice. The Terrapins have the talent, depth, and experience to finish in the top spot. They are one of the top rebounding teams in the country. When Brenda Frese has her player’s attention, Maryland can beat anyone in the nation. But when the Terrapins aren’t locked in, they can fall behind by 16 points like they did at Purdue. However, Maryland recovered.
• Another refresher: Not every team makes the Big Ten tournament. The top 15 will advance to the five-day event in Indianapolis, leaving three teams at home. Three of these teams will likely miss the tournament - Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Northwestern.
POWER RANKINGS
UCLA
The Bruins are holding opponents to 32.2% from 2-point range, the top mark in the nation. Sunday vs. Nebraska, 5 p.m. (BTN); Wednesday vs. Michigan, 5 p.m. (BTN)
USC
Only loss to Notre Dame at home. Kiki Iriafen ranks second among Big Ten players with 57 offensive rebounds. Sunday vs. Michigan, 10 p.m. (BTN); Wednesday vs. Nebraska, 3 p.m. (BTN).
Maryland
Six players are averaging at least 9.7 points. Sunday vs. Michigan State, 1 p.m. (B1G+); Thursday vs. Rutgers, 7 p.m. (B1G+).
Ohio State
Talented roster and impressive statistics but played one ranked team (Illinois). Sunday at Rutgers, 2 p.m. (B1G+).
Michigan State
One of six conference teams averaging 80 points or more, but expect that number to shrink against the Big Ten competition. Sunday at Maryland, 1 p.m. (B1G+); Wednesday vs. Purdue, 2 p.m. (B1G+)
Iowa
Must clean up the turnovers (16.8) to stay connected to the top teams in the league. Sunday vs. Purdue, 3 p.m. (B1G+); Wednesday at Penn State, 1 p.m. (B1G+).
Michigan
Plenty of upside with two talented freshmen (Syla Swords and Oliva Olson) on the roster. Sunday at USC, 10 p.m. (BTN); Wednesday at UCLA, 5 p.m. (BTN).
Nebraska
Shooting 38.7% from 3-point range to lead Big Ten teams. Sunday at UCLA, 5 p.m. (BTN); Wednesday at USC, 3 p.m. (BTN).
Illinois
The Illini feature four 1,000-point career scorers and six players who average double figures. Saturday vs. Oregon, 3 p.m. (B1G+); Tuesday vs. Washington, 1 p.m. (BTN).
Indiana
Three losses before Thanksgiving, but the Hoosiers are now riding a five-game winning streak. Sydney Parrish missed five games before returning on Dec. 22 against Oakland. Saturday vs. Wisconsin, 2 p.m. (BTN).
Oregon
Started 6-0 but dropped two of three, including the Big Ten opener to USC. Saturday at Illinois, 3 p.m. (B1G+); Tuesday at Northwestern, 3 p.m. (BTN).
Washington
Played UCLA close at home earlier in the month but also lost to Montana. Saturday at Northwestern, 3 p.m. (B1G+); Tuesday at Illinois, 1 p.m. (BTN).
Purdue
Five of the next nine games are against ranked teams, and there’s a weeklong trip to Oregon and Washington in mid-January. The lopsided non-conference losses to Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Kentucky need to pay off. Sunday at Iowa, 3 p.m. (B1G+); Wednesday at Michigan State, 2 p.m. (B1G+).
Minnesota
Still no indication when star Mara Braun will return. She re-injured her right foot in November and has been out indefinitely. Saturday vs. Penn State, 4 p.m. (BTN); Tuesday at Wisconsin, 4:30 p.m. (B1G+).
Wisconsin
Finished 9-2 in non-conference games, and the 10-2 record is the program’s best start in 15 seasons. Nugget alert: The Badgers are 4-34 all-time in Bloomington. Saturday at Indiana, 2 p.m. (BTN); Tuesday vs. Minnesota, 4:30 p.m. (B1G+)
Penn State
Won the first eight games against a soft schedule but dropped three of the last four by an average of 7.6 points. Hard to put the Lady Lions higher when they’re averaging a conference-high 20.8 turnovers. Saturday at Minnesota, 4 p.m. (BTN); Wednesday vs. Iowa, 1 p.m. (B1G+).
Rutgers
Kiyomi McMiller is among the contenders for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She’s averaging 20.8 points and shooting 38.8% from 3-point range. Sunday vs. Ohio State, 2 p.m. (B1G+); Thursday at Maryland, 7 p.m. (B1G+).
Northwestern
Ranks last among Big Ten teams in scoring, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and steals. But Caroline Lau leads the league in assists (6.7). Saturday vs. Washington, 3 p.m. (B1G+); Tuesday vs. Oregon, 3 p.m. (BTN).