Big Ten women's basketball stock watch: Buy, sell, hold
Iowa's Caitlin Clark plays before another sell out Wednesday at Purdue before the Hawkeyes host Indiana on Saturday night in nationally televised matchup
Welcome to the Big Ten women’s basketball stock report. Who to buy, sell, and hold.
BUY
IOWA: Still no losses since mid-November when Kansas State surprised the Hawkeyes and now riding a 12-game winning streak. In four of the last five games, Iowa has scored 90 points or more but needed a buzzer-beater 3-pointer by Caitlin Clark to nip Michigan State. Up next: Wednesday at Purdue, 8 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday vs. Indiana, 8 p.m. (FOX)
INDIANA: Another team on a 12-game heater since the loss to UCLA in the second game of the season. The Hoosiers hit their first 15 shots against Michigan and smoked Nebraska on Sunday, scoring 91 points. Sydney Parrish is 9 of 11 from 3-point range the last two games. Up next: Wednesday vs. Penn State, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Saturday at Iowa, 8 p.m. (FOX).
NEBRASKA: Torched by Indiana on Sunday but the Huskers have Big Ten wins against Michigan State, Maryland and Wisconsin and will score enough to challenge for a top-four spot. Up next: Thursday vs. Illinois, 8 p.m. (BTN); Sunday at Minnesota, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
MARYLAND: The roster changes on a yearly basis but it’s hard to discount the Terrapins, despite the new faces. Shyanne Sellers headlines six players who are averaging 8.9 points or better and gives Maryland a shot to finish in the top four. Up next: Tuesday at Michigan State, 6 p.m. (BTN); Sunday vs. Purdue, noon (B1G+).
OHIO STATE: Despite the disappointing loss at Michigan, the Buckeyes remain challengers for the title. However, OSU needs a marquee win, and beating Tennessee and Penn State doesn’t count. Up next: Thursday vs. Rutgers, 6 p.m. (BTN); Sunday vs. Michigan State, 4 p.m. (BTN).
MICHIGAN: The win over Ohio State makes the Wolverines an attractive buy candidate and there’s only so much you can do when Indiana makes 15 straight field goals to start the game. Up next: Tuesday vs. Minnesota, 8 p.m. (BTN); Saturday vs. Wisconsin, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
HOLD
PURDUE: The upcoming stretch will determine if the Boilermakers can move into the buy category. Focus on the next four – the Hawkeyes, the Terrapins, Penn State and Indiana - and see where things stand in 10 days. Up next: Wednesday vs. Iowa, 8 p.m. (Peacock); Sunday at Maryland, noon (B1G+).
MICHIGAN STATE: Defense was expected to be the Spartans’ strength, but the offense carried the load during the nonconference season, and it hasn't slowed down. Thought MSU was going to overtime until Clark hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Difficult week ahead. Up next: Tuesday vs. Maryland, 6 p.m. (BTN); Sunday at Ohio State, 4 p.m. (BTN).
MINNESOTA: On the verge of dropping to the sell list. Playing all those home games in the nonconference season probably didn’t prepare the Golden Gophers for the rigors of the Big Ten. Mara Braun can only do so much. Up next: Tuesday at Michigan, 8 p.m. (BTN); Sunday vs. Nebraska, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
PENN STATE: Another team teetering on dropping down. Allowed 94 (in OT) and 98 points to Ohio State and Michigan State, respectively, in two conference losses. Smacked Northwestern by 40. Leading scorer Makenna Marisa has missed the last four games (leg) but Tay Valladay is averaging 18.7 points in Big Ten games. Up next: Wednesday at Indiana, 7 p.m. (B1G+); Sunday at Rutgers, 2 p.m. (B1G+).
SELL
ILLINOIS: Three straight losses to begin the Big Ten season ranks as the biggest disappointment in the league right now, especially scoring 61 points against Wisconsin. The Illini are 0-7 against high-major programs. Up next: Sunday at Northwestern, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
WISCONSIN: The Badgers did get their best player back – Serah Williams – and it paid off against Illinois. The victory doesn’t change the outlook. Up next: Wednesday vs. Northwestern, 7:30 p.m. (B1G); Saturday at Michigan, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
NORTHWESTERN: Last two losses are by a combined 70 points to Penn State and Ohio State. Up next: Wednesday vs. Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. (B1G+); Sunday vs. Illinois, 3 p.m. (B1G+).
RUTGERS: The Scarlet Knights aren’t void of offensive talent but can’t put anything together. Leading scorer Kaylene Smikle missed the last two games and she’s not injured. Up next: Thursday at Ohio State, 6 p.m. (BTN); Sunday vs. Penn State, 2 p.m. (B1G+).