Big Ten women's basketball report: UCLA's first Big Ten road trip, schedule adjustments and power rankings
One of the league's top players returns to the lineup after missing two games
Items of interest around the Big Ten:
WELCOME TO MIDWEST
Before UCLA embarked on its first Big Ten road trip, a stop was required at the school’s equipment room. Where’s the parkas? There’s a limited supply because the need hasn’t been great over the years since the Bruins played predominately on the West Coast.
But now, different teams and climates await in the Big Ten. Traveling to Indiana in early January requires extra layers. The Bruins missed the big snowstorm but couldn’t escape a new phrase - wind chill. They spent five days in the state, arriving on Friday and leaving on a charter plane from the Purdue University Airport after Tuesday’s win.
“It was quite the experience,” junior Timea Gardiner said after last week’s win at Mackey Arena. “It was great to be in Indiana. We had a little mishap in Bloomington, but we can handle anything.”
UCLA has handled everything up to this point.
The mishap in Bloomington was the team’s bus driver heading north on I-69, thinking the game against the Hoosiers was in Indianapolis instead of Assembly Hall, six minutes from the team’s hotel. On the floor, the Bruins have been perfect, matching the program’s best start at 16-0 and holding the No. 1 ranking in the country since knocking off South Carolina in November.
This trip, though, featured an educational element. Veteran coach Cori Close became good friends with John Wooden, a three-time All-American at Purdue but better known for leading UCLA to 10 men’s national championships in 12 seasons (1964-75). Does the Wizard of Westwood come to mind?
Close was mentored by Wooden and uses those lessons to shape her program. That’s why it was important for the Bruins to visit the John Wooden statue outside Mackey Arena and take the short trip on John Wooden Drive. The team sat in the Wooden Club near the arena's tunnel, and Close rattled off his accomplishments when he attended Purdue in what was a mini-classroom setting.
“It’s so important to the family that we honor his journey,” Close said. “They have given so much to our program. It's not just coach Wooden's influence, but their entire family has been good to me and UCLA. I think that's the least we can do for him - to honor where he went to school and the impact he made, and maybe learn even a couple of facts that I didn't even know.”
Close was unaware that Wooden had been inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player and coach. She learned that Wooden was known more for his moral character, “and that's really what I want to impart to these women; their character will be with them long after the ball goes flat.”
Said center Lauren Betts: “I just thought that was a really cool experience for our team. It was really nice to see how much coach Cori appreciates it. I think we’re always learning from her.”
Flying coast-to-coast in the new Big Ten forced UCLA to invest more resources. Close told ncaa.com that an academic learning specialist and dietician to monitor sleep and nutrition accompany the team on road trips.
The Bruins have two more trips to the Eastern/Central time zones.
Later this week, they’ll embark on a weeklong journey to New Jersey and Maryland. They’ll play three games, starting on Jan. 20 against Baylor as part of a doubleheader in the Coretta Scott King Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
UCLA will face Rutgers on Jan. 23 and finish with a top-10 matchup at Maryland on Jan. 26. Whether the Bruins encounter more winter weather and another “mishap,” they’re learning about navigating their new conference surroundings.
Make sure the parkas are packed.
“We'll be ready,” Close said.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Northwestern decided against traveling to Los Angeles to play UCLA and USC due to ongoing concerns surrounding the wildfires in Southern California. The Big Ten is looking into rescheduling options. However, Penn State flew to Los Angeles and played USC on Sunday night, and is scheduled to face UCLA on Wednesday but at a different location. The game has been moved to the Walter Pyramid on the campus of Long Beach State. Should Northwestern have to forfeit the two games? Yes, if the league is actually paying attention.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Three teams remain unbeaten in Big Ten games - UCLA, USC, and Ohio State. The trio has won a combined 44 straight games.
Four teams — Purdue, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Penn State — are seeking their first conference win. The group has combined to drop 19 consecutive games, and the number stretches to 24 if Wisconsin - which has one conference victory - is included.
Who suffers the first loss, and who picks up the first victory?
RUTGERS DRAMA
Rutgers freshman Kiyomi Miller, one of the top scorers in the Big Ten, returned to the lineup Sunday against Nebraska and scored 33 points in the loss.
Miller’s absence was explained as a “coach’s decision,” and Coquese Washington declined to provide additional details.
"There was nothing that led to it...she's back with our team,” Washington said during her postgame press conference. "We're happy to have her back and I don't have anything to explain. She's back on our team, back at practice, we got through practice every day and try to figure out how we're going to approach the game as far as lineups and all that, and it was nothing more than that.”
Before the Jan. 5 matchup against USC, Miller posted on her Instagram account that she wouldn’t be playing.
“The decision was made by my head coach Coquese Washington,” Miller wrote.
Miller traveled with the team to Minnesota last week but didn’t play.
POWER RANKINGS
UCLA
The Bruins are loaded. Might face a challenge from the Terrapins on the next road trip. Wednesday vs. Penn State, 9:30 p.m. (Peacock); Jan. 20 vs. Baylor, 3 p.m. (Fox)
USC
With the Northwestern game postponed, the Women of Troy get a week off. JuJu Watkins dropped 35 against Penn State. Coming to the state of Indiana later this week. Will USC bring parkas? Sunday at Indiana, noon (NBC).
OHIO STATE
Overcame a 13-point deficit to win at Michigan and 4 of 21 shooting in the first quarter in Sunday’s win against Oregon. Thursday at Wisconsin, 9 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday at Penn State, 1 p.m. (B1G+).
MARYLAND
Led Wisconsin by two after three quarters but pulled away. The only loss came against USC at home. Tuesday vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. (BTN); Jan. 20 vs. Texas, 5:30 p.m. (Fox).
MICHIGAN
The five losses were to teams ranked in the top 10, and the most challenging part of the schedule might be over. The five-guard starting lineup, including three freshmen, continues to grow and mature. Wednesday vs. Washington, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Saturday vs. Rutgers, noon (BTN).
INDIANA
Knocked off Iowa on Sunday and won eight of its last nine following a 30-point loss to North Carolina in December. Thursday vs. Illinois, 7 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday vs. USC, noon (NBC).
NEBRASKA
Won three straight by a combined 23 points over Penn State, Michigan State and Rutgers. Allison Weidner, a key player, suffered a knee injury in practice and is out for the season. Thursday at Iowa, 7 p.m. (BTN); Jan. 20 vs. Wisconsin, 8 p.m. (BTN).
MICHIGAN STATE
One of five conference teams unbeaten at home. Wednesday at Rutgers, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Sunday at Illinois, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
MINNESOTA
Can’t knock the 16-1 record but benefitting from Big Ten and non-conference schedules. The Golden Gophers made the AP Top 25 this week. Four of the next six games are against ranked teams. Tuesday at Maryland, 7 p.m. (BTN); Sunday at Northwestern, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
ILLINOIS
Double-figure scorers Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan have been ruled out for the season due to injuries. The Illini have a thin bench, but that didn’t stop them from beating Iowa. Thursday at Indiana, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Sunday vs. Michigan State, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
IOWA
First three-game losing streak since January 2018. Thursday vs. Nebraska, 7 p.m. (BTN); Sunday at Oregon, 5 p.m. (B1G+)
WASHINGTON
Made 23 of 24 free throws in the last two games but went 1-1. Will retire Kelsey Plum’s jersey Saturday. Wednesday at Michigan, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Saturday vs. Purdue, 5 p.m. (BTN).
OREGON
Gave up a 27-0 run to Ohio State on Sunday and lost by nine. Wednesday vs. Purdue. 9 p.m. (B1G+); Sunday vs. Iowa, 5 p.m. (B1G+)
WISCONSIN
Trailed Maryland by two points heading into the fourth quarter but couldn’t snap a five-game losing streak. Thursday vs. Ohio State, 9 p.m. (B1G+); Jan. 20 at Nebraska, 8 p.m. (BTN).
PURDUE
Although the Boilermakers have dropped four in a row and five straight Big Ten games to ranked teams, some credit goes to the schedule they’re playing. When will the schedule help Purdue secure a win? Wednesday at Oregon, 9 p.m. (B1G+); Saturday at Washington, 5 p.m. (BTN).
PENN STATE
Made the trip to the West Coast when Northwestern elected to stay in Evanston. At least the Nittany Lions forced USC to earn its 22-point victory on Sunday. Lost six in a row. Wednesday vs. UCLA (at Long Beach State), 9:30 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday vs. Ohio State, 1 p.m. (B1G+).
RUTGERS
The team’s best player returns, but the Scarlet Knights still fall short. Wednesday vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Saturday at Michigan, noon (BTN).
NORTHWESTERN
The games in California likely won’t be rescheduled, giving the Wildcats two fewer games. This could impact which teams make the Big Ten tournament. Sunday vs. Minnesota, 3 p.m. (B1G+)
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