Big Ten women's basketball report: Iowa's Caitlin Clark set to break NCAA scoring record
The superstar is 66 points shy of surpassing the record held by Washington's Kelsey Plum. Game to watch: Iowa at Nebraska
Before jumping into this week’s Big Ten business, check out Dave Bangert’s story on the end of an era in West Lafayette: Bruno’s, a West Lafayette and Purdue landmark, closing this week. You can also subscribe to Dave’s content on Substack.
OHIO STATE
Two home wins last week over Wisconsin and Indiana. The Buckeyes hit the road with a nine-game winning streak and matchups against Minnesota and Michigan State. Only one major hurdle – Feb. 22 at Penn State – before the regular-season finale at Iowa likely decides the championship. Up next: Thursday at Minnesota, 9 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday at Michigan State, 4 p.m. (Peacock).
IOWA
Five straight games scoring 90 points or more, which makes for great television and the Hawkeyes are owning the national airwaves and challenging the streaming platforms from buffering.  Caitlin Clark needs 66 points to become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and this weekend is shaping up as the moment. It’s not impossible for Clark to score 66 against PSU. Up next: Thursday vs. Penn State, 9 p.m. (BTN); Sunday at Nebraska, 1 p.m. (FOX).
INDIANA
Will Sydney Parrish (foot) return for the stretch run? The Hoosiers need her against the upper-echelon teams in the league and to reach the Sweet 16. The 23 turnovers at Ohio State on Sunday killed any chance of a win. Up next: Thursday vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday vs. Purdue, 2 p.m. (B1G+).
MICHIGAN STATE
Averaging 84.3 points over the last four games since putting 50 in a loss to Minnesota. Big week for the Spartans, who face two of the top three teams in the standings before going on the road to take on Michigan and Purdue. Clearly, a defining stretch. Up next: Thursday at Indiana, 7 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday vs. Ohio State, 4 p.m. (Peacock).
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark last month at Mackey Arena (Dave Wegiel Photography)
PENN STATE
Bad loss at home to Michigan to snap a six-game winning streak but still believe the Lady Lions finish No. 4 and receive the double-bye in the Big Ten tournament. Ashley Owusu continues to shine. Up next: Thursday at Iowa, 9 p.m. (BTN); Sunday at Wisconsin, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
NEBRASKA
Separating the Huskers and Michigan for this spot is easy – Nebraska beat the Wolverines on Tuesday and swept the season series. But the loss to Rutgers at home last weekend is puzzling. Up next: Sunday vs. Iowa, 1 p.m. (FOX). Â
MICHIGAN
If you can’t figure out a team by this point in the season, you never will. The Wolverines are who they are and they’re all over the place. Nothing will change in the final month. Up next: Saturday vs. Rutgers, 2 p.m. (BTN).
MARYLAND
The last two wins were against Illinois and Rutgers, but there were four straight losses between those victories. At least Shyanne Sellers is back. It will be strange seeing the Terrapins finish in the middle of the league and play on Thursday in the Big Ten tournament. It hasn’t happened since Maryland joined the conference. Up next: Sunday at Illinois, 3 p.m. (Fox Sports 1).
MINNESOTA
Still adjusting to life without Mara Braun and will need to find production from others to avoid slipping into the bottom four. A chance at a few wins coming up but the Golden Gophers are probably limping to the finish. Up next: Thursday vs. Ohio State, 9 p.m. (Peacock).
PURDUE
After Sunday’s trip to Bloomington, plenty of winnable games down the stretch - three at home and Wisconsin and Northwestern on the road - to stay out of the bottom four. Up next: Sunday at Indiana, 2 p.m. (B1G+).
ILLINOIS
The Fighting Illini showed a lot of fight coming back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime against the Boilermakers but lost. Had 21 offensive rebounds but managed only eight second-chance points. The opportunity to get back on track with the next two games at home. Up next: Thursday vs. Northwestern, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Sunday vs. Maryland, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
NORTHWESTERN
Coach Joe McKeown recently missed six consecutive games due to an illness before returning in late January, but the Wildcats broke a five-game losing streak with the win over Wisconsin. The final stretch isn’t daunting, but does Northwestern have enough to escape the bottom four? Up next: Thursday at Illinois, 7 p.m. (B1G+).
WISCONSIN
Points have been hard to come by for the Badgers, who scored 49 and 43, respectively, in their last two games and won’t be able to keep up in their next game. Up next: Sunday vs. Penn State, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
RUTGERS
Credit the Scarlet Knights for winning in Lincoln, despite committing 15 more turnovers than the Huskers but shooting nearly 60% from the field was the difference. But Tuesday we saw what happens when they have 22 turnovers and shoot poorly (41.5%) in a loss to Maryland. Up next: Saturday at Michigan, 2 p.m. (BTN).