HOOPLA Ranking Of Top 40 BIG Players

[BigTenGuy]

A serious fan of BIG WBB puts out this list, 3 times a season. The season-ending list has GG # 17, McKinney # 22, and Battle # 37. Braun was 1 of 5 players who just missed the cut. Merkle is # 33.

Hoopla 40: 2025-26 End-of-Season Rankings

The best 40 players in the Big Ten this season, if you listen to what I have to say at least

hooplanewsletter.beehiiv.com

 

[AllEars]

A serious fan of BIG WBB puts out this list, 3 times a season. The season-ending list has GG # 17, McKinney # 22, and Battle # 37. Braun was 1 of 5 players who just missed the cut. Merkle is # 33.

Hoopla 40: 2025-26 End-of-Season Rankings

The best 40 players in the Big Ten this season, if you listen to what I have to say at least

hooplanewsletter.beehiiv.com

If I read correctly, from early/mid/final
McKinney: new/36/22
Grace: 25/22/17
Merkle: 33/21/33
Braun: NR/NR/close

I'll take it...
Steady progression from McKinney and Grace
Consistency from Merkle
Honorable mention to Braun

 

[AllEars]

A serious fan of BIG WBB puts out this list, 3 times a season. The season-ending list has GG # 17, McKinney # 22, and Battle # 37. Braun was 1 of 5 players who just missed the cut. Merkle is # 33.

Hoopla 40: 2025-26 End-of-Season Rankings

The best 40 players in the Big Ten this season, if you listen to what I have to say at least

hooplanewsletter.beehiiv.com

If I read correctly, from early/mid/final
McKinney: 34/36/22
Grace: 25/22/17
Merkle: 33/21/33
Braun: NR/NR/close

I'll take it...
Steady progression from McKinney and Grace
Consistency from Merkle
Honorable mention to Braun

 

[AllEars]

If I read correctly, from early/mid/final
McKinney: 34/36/22
Grace: 25/22/17
Merkle: 33/21/33
Braun: NR/NR/close

I'll take it...
Steady progression from McKinney and Grace
Consistency from Merkle
Honorable mention to Braun

Double post...

 

[AllEars]

A serious fan of BIG WBB puts out this list, 3 times a season. The season-ending list has GG # 17, McKinney # 22, and Battle # 37. Braun was 1 of 5 players who just missed the cut. Merkle is # 33.

Hoopla 40: 2025-26 End-of-Season Rankings

The best 40 players in the Big Ten this season, if you listen to what I have to say at least

hooplanewsletter.beehiiv.com

I did somewhat of a tally. I counted 23 returning players, 3 still in portal, 4 just missed. I gave 1/2 point to a player that almost made it; for example, Braun.
OSU: 2 1/2
Mich: 3 1/2
Maryland: 1
Iowa: 2
Neb: 2
USC: 1
Illinois: 3
Wash: 2
MSU: 1
Minnesota: 3 1/2 (counted Merkle)
Ore: 2
Ind: 1

Four teams without representation: UCLA, Rutgers, Purdue, and Northwestern

Those in portal: McMiller, Jones, Daniels

 

[AllEars]

I did somewhat of a tally. I counted 23 returning players, 3 still in portal, 4 just missed. I gave 1/2 point to a player that almost made it; for example, Braun.
OSU: 2 1/2
Mich: 3 1/2
Maryland: 1
Iowa: 2
Neb: 2
USC: 1
Illinois: 3
Wash: 2
MSU: 1
Minnesota: 3 1/2 (counted Merkle)
Ore: 2
Ind: 1

Four teams without representation: UCLA, Rutgers, Purdue, and Northwestern

Those in portal: McMiller, Jones, Daniels

Six teams without representation... add PSU & Wisconsin

 

[TruthSeeker]

I did somewhat of a tally. I counted 23 returning players, 3 still in portal, 4 just missed. I gave 1/2 point to a player that almost made it; for example, Braun.
OSU: 2 1/2
Mich: 3 1/2
Maryland: 1
Iowa: 2
Neb: 2
USC: 1
Illinois: 3
Wash: 2
MSU: 1
Minnesota: 3 1/2 (counted Merkle)
Ore: 2
Ind: 1

Four teams without representation: UCLA, Rutgers, Purdue, and Northwestern

Those in portal: McMiller, Jones, Daniels

Add JuJu. She's better than every and will be back.

 

[AllEars]

Add JuJu. She's better than every and will be back.

For sure her name be there next year as will others returning from injury; for example, Natalie Potts from Nebraska. I was only working from the link provided by BigTenGuy.

 

[MTBeaudry]

A serious fan of BIG WBB puts out this list, 3 times a season. The season-ending list has GG # 17, McKinney # 22, and Battle # 37. Braun was 1 of 5 players who just missed the cut. Merkle is # 33.

Hoopla 40: 2025-26 End-of-Season Rankings

The best 40 players in the Big Ten this season, if you listen to what I have to say at least

hooplanewsletter.beehiiv.com

And new acquisition in the portal Merkle #33

 

[60's Guy]

GG, Braun, Battle, and McKinney. All are excellent Gophers...just me...I'm not ranking Braun as the 4th best Gopher. And I doubt many opponents scouting reports do either.

 

[BigTenGuy]

GG, Braun, Battle, and McKinney. All are excellent Gophers...just me...I'm not ranking Braun as the 4th best Gopher. And I doubt many opponents scouting reports do either.

Hoopla's Gopher rankings track the Big Ten coaches, who voted GG and McKinney 2nd-team All BIG, Battle 3rd-team All BIG, Braun Honorable Mention, and Battle and McKinney All-Defensive Team.

 

[Gopheroll]

I'd assume All BIG teams voting was based on body of work for the whole season. By the end of the season I thought Braun was playing at a much higher level (as coach P would phrase it) than at the beginning. Finally getting back in form.

 

[bkeller49]

I'd assume All BIG teams voting was based on body of work for the whole season. By the end of the season I thought Braun was playing at a much higher level (as coach P would phrase it) than at the beginning. Finally getting back in form.

I'm predicting she has a huge season next year. It's been noted here several times that even when she wasn't shooting well she was a big contributor, she does all the little things.

 

[Mulligan]

A serious fan of BIG WBB puts out this list, 3 times a season. The season-ending list has GG # 17, McKinney # 22, and Battle # 37. Braun was 1 of 5 players who just missed the cut. Merkle is # 33.

Hoopla 40: 2025-26 End-of-Season Rankings

The best 40 players in the Big Ten this season, if you listen to what I have to say at least

hooplanewsletter.beehiiv.com

Amaya was among the first 3 cut by the Lynx today