Other B1G Team Notes 2022-23

[thatjanelpick]

Just in time for her new coach to get canned:

Wake Forest fires women's hoops coach Hoover

Wake Forest has fired women's basketball coach Jen Hoover, moving on from the former Demon Deacons player after just two NCAA Tournament appearances in 10 seasons.

www.espn.com

Raoul now reporting that she's going to Baylor, not Wake Forest.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Ohio State women’s basketball adds forward Eboni Walker from Syracuse University

Former Arizona State and Syracuse forward is the second to join the Buckeyes from the transfer portal in 2022

www.landgrantholyland.com

The 2021-22 Big Ten Conference Championship winning Ohio State Buckeyes added their second forward from the transfer portal on Thursday. Syracuse forward Eboni Walker announced on Instagram that she’s now a Buckeye.

Walker dons Scarlet & Gray after a season at Arizona State University before transferring to Syracuse for the 21/22 season. In six appearances, Walker averaged 22.3 minutes off the bench where she averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds. Walker’s best performance came in her final game on Nov. 11 where the forward scored 12 points.

After that game, Walker didn’t play again. Syracuse medically ruled her out for the rest of the season, although details of the injury were never made public

[...]

For the Buckeyes, Walker’s addition is big. Ohio State played with three primary forwards in 2021-22: starter Rebeka Mikulasikova, and backups Tanaya Beacham and Taylor Thierry. Mikulasikova and Thierry both return but Beacham played her final year of eligibility, holding the title of the sixth player on the Buckeyes.

The Scarlet & Gray were 10th in the B1G in rebounding margin, being outrebounded on an average of 1.3 rebounds per game. Ohio State struggled mostly on the offensive boards. Head coach Kevin McGuff’s side was 11th in offensive rebounds. This is after the offseason in which Dorka Juhasz (UConn) and Aaliyah Patty (Texas A&M), both starters, transferred out of McGuff’s program.

It’s too early to know where Walker lands on the roster, but returning from an injury to a new team is a challenge. Thierry came on strong as one of the most athletic players in the B1G and Mikulasikova started every game during the championship season. Wherever Walker lands, there’s a strong chance that her experience gets her minutes on the court for the 22/23 season.

Walker has a third forward to compete against in Karla Vreš. Like Walker, Vreš announced her transfer to the Buckeyes this offseason from American University on May 10

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Indiana women's basketball hires Linda Sayavongchanh as assistant coach

The Hoosiers have their new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

sports.yahoo.com

Indiana fills assistant coach position with Linda Sayavongchanh. She's a recruiting coordinator with an upper mid-west focus.

Linda Sayavongchanh has joined Teri Moren's staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Sayavongchanh comes to Bloomington from Omaha, where she spent spent seven years in the same roles for Creighton. Her first official day with the Hoosiers was June 1.

Prior to Creighton, Sayavongchanh spent two years as an assistant coach at Saint Louis. She started her career at Minnesota-Duluth as a graduate assistant in 2007 for two years, then took an assistant coaching job at Drake in 2009. She coached at North Dakota for the 2012-13 season before joining the Billikens.
[...]
Sayavongchanh has an existing relationship with one of IU's top recruiting targets in 2024 four star guard Britt Prince from Omaha. Creighton extended Prince her first Division I offer in 2020, before her freshman year at Elkhorn North High School. IU offered Prince on an unofficial visit in June 2021.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

NU women's hoops notes: The summer plan for 'special athlete' Mendelson; workouts begin; scheduling items

17-year-old Maggie Mendelson has shown she "absolutely belongs" in just a few summer sessions with the NU women's basketball team.

huskerextra.com

Two sport athlete Maggie Mendelson arrives in Lincoln.

The Nebraska women’s basketball team now has a 17-year-old player on its team.

Two-sport Husker athlete Maggie Mendelson arrived in Lincoln last weekend. She’ll play both basketball and volleyball at Nebraska, and in time, that should pay off for both programs.

Mendelson has played for the U.S. youth national team in both sports. She’s the No. 4 national recruit in volleyball and No. 32 in basketball.

Mendelson graduated from high school one full year early, reclassifying to the 2022 recruiting class.

The 6-foot-5 center from Ogden, Utah, will spend most of her first month in Lincoln with the basketball team. While Mendelson only recently turned 17, Nebraska basketball coach Amy Williams says she doesn’t look out of place.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Maggie Lucas Elevated to Assistant Coach for Lady Lions

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State women's basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger announced Thursday the elevation of Lady Lions' all-time great Maggie Lucas to assistant coach. Lucas returned to her alma mater in May as Director of Player Development.

gopsusports.com

Penn State's Maggie Lucas, after a couple of months as Director of Player Development, is promoted to assistant coach.

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State women's basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger announced Thursday the elevation of Lady Lions' all-time great Maggie Lucas to assistant coach. Lucas returned to her alma mater in May as Director of Player Development.

Kieger on Lucas: "We are thrilled to elevate Maggie Lucas to an assistant coach. She has an incredible passion for Lady Lion basketball and knows what it takes to win championships here. She is no doubt the perfect fit to help our program get back to the top."

Lucas on her new role: "I am beyond excited about my promotion to assistant coach! It is an amazing opportunity and full circle moment in my journey with Penn State women's basketball. Since returning to Happy Valley, I have truly been inspired by the energy and passion of Coach Keiger, our players and the entire staff. I have so much faith in this program and the new heights we will reach. It's good to be home!"

About Lucas: Lucas joined the Penn State this offseason after concluding an eight-year professional career, including four seasons in the WNBA. She played three seasons with the Indiana Fever (2014-16) and split the 2018 season with the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings.

While playing for Lulea in Sweden in 2021, she led the team to an SBLDAM Championship and was the league's finals MVP. Lucas was named All-Euro Cup first team in 2022 while playing for Dinamo Sassari.

Lucas' name is all over the Penn State record books. She won three major Big Ten awards: player of the year in 2013 (coaches & media) and 2014 (media) and the consensus freshman of the year in 2011. She was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and a four-time All-Big Ten honoree.

Lucas led Penn State to three-straight Big Ten regular season titles in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. The Lady Lions played in the NCAA Tournament all four years with Lucas on campus and made Sweet 16 appearances in 2012 and 2014.

A Wade Trophy and Wooden Award Finalist in 2013 and 2014, Lucas was a second-team AP All-American in 2013 and third-team AP All-American in 2014. She was a two-time USBWA All-American, two-time Full-Court All-American and Full-Court Freshman All-American.

Lucas is the only player in program history with over 2,000 points (2,510), 500 rebounds (541), 250 assists (286) and 200 steals (237).

She ranks second all-time at Penn State with 2,510 career points and holds the second-best career scoring average (19.0 ppg). Her 2,510 points rank eighth All-Time in the Big Ten.

She holds three of the Top 10 scoring seasons in program history with 672 points in 2013-14, 644 points in 2012-13 and 642 points in 2011-12, while holding the freshman scoring record with 552 points in 2010-11.

Known for her incredible shooting abilities, Lucas holds the Penn State record for career three-point fields goals with 365. Her 365 career threes rank third all-time in the Big Ten.

She also ranks third all-time at PSU with a 41.5 three-point field goal percentage. She owns Penn State's season three-point field goals record (112 in 2010-11).

Lucas has the Penn State records for career free throws (547), career free throw percentage (90.7) and season free throws (185, 2013-14).

She shot a Big Ten-record 94.9 percent from the free-throw line in 2013-14, good for the eighth-best season percentage in NCAA Division I history. Her 90.7 career free throw percentage, also a Big Ten record, also ranks eighth all-time in NCAA Division I

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Please contact us, please

 

[whalenfan]

Please contact us, please

Its interesting Rutgers hasnt added more transfers just to fill their roster, they have 8 players right now.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Not Big Ten; but Minnesota related

 

[whalenfan]

Another Minnesotan out the year, big loss for the Huskers

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Maryland women’s basketball transfer Allie Kubek suffered torn ACL, out for 2022-23 season

The Towson transfer averaged 14.6 points per game last season.

www.testudotimes.com

Maryland's Allie Kubek suffers ACL injury:

Maryland women’s basketball junior guard Allie Kubek sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will miss the 2022-2023 season, according to a team spokesperson.

Kubek transferred from Towson this past offseason where she averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last year. She is a career 48% shooter from the field and was named to the All-CAA team last season.

She entered Maryland at a transformative time in the program with multiple players leaving the team last season for other schools. She was one of five players Frese acquired via the transfer portal for this season’s roster.

Kubek was expected play an important role for Maryland, providing depth to its potent backcourt.

The Terps now have 12 active players on the roster.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Purdue women's basketball primer: Four questions as official practice opens

The Boilermakers are set to open Year 2 of the Katie Gearlds tenure

news.yahoo.com

Four questions as Purdue's Katie Gearlds enters her second season:

What do the transfers bring?​

Gearlds went shopping in the portal and added post Caitlyn Harper, the WAC’s Player of the Year at Cal Baptist, and Lasha Petree, who played last season at Rutgers.

Purdue had one post player last season - Rickie Woltman - but the 6-foot-2 Harper brings more size and depth but can also stretch the defense with a solid perimeter game. Gearlds envisions Petree as her prototypical wing player.

“Long, athletic, can score the ball from the outside and can get to the rim,” Gearlds said. “You look at our roster and you say ‘Hey, who can go get us a bucket?’ I think Lasha fills that need – ‘Hey, go get us a bucket.’ ”

Who's the point guard?​

Jeanae Terry, who posted two triple-doubles last season, remains the primary point guard. But other options are on the roster allowing the Boilermakers to present different lineups, including Abbey Ellis and Madison Layden.

“The ball is in Jeanae’s hands, and I really love Abbey off the ball,” Gearlds said. “She does so well in the open floor and if we can kick it up to her and run her off screens, she can score.

“I think you'll see Madison at the point in a backup role more so than last year, just trying to keep Abbey off the ball.”

Can Jayla Smith take the next step?​

Gearlds challenged the 2021 Indiana Miss Basketball from Lawrence North to improve her game during the offseason. Smith can play a big role at both ends of the floor, giving the Boilermakers an athletic presence.

Smith’s conditioning is better than last season and that's allowed her to excel in workouts over the summer.

“She's taking strides that we weren't sure if she was going to take and she's taken them,” Gearlds said. “I just think her understanding that it's really not that hard. I think that her conditioning last year, she had her hands on her knees and didn't know how to push through the wall.

“Now when it gets hard, she's the one encouraging people. She knows it's her time and we've talked a lot about it. ‘You're Indiana Miss Basketball. This is what we do. You’re from Indiana, you come to Purdue, and this is what we do.' She's embraced the opportunity.”


Here is Purdue women's basketball schedule for 2022-23 season

Does the roster feature more versatility?​

No longer are players “pigeonholed” into one position, Gearlds said. Most can play multiple spots, giving the Boilermakers and their coach plenty of flexibility in mixing and matching personnel.

“Maybe come February, our legs are fresher,” Gearlds said. “We talked with (Layden) about not having to guard the other team's best player for 40 minutes. We've got Jayla and Lasha now as options to really use their length, so she's not dog-tired at the end of games or the end of the season. We have some options and some versatility. My offensive mind is going crazy, honestly.”

Roster updates​

Freshman guard Ainhoa Holzer will redshirt this season after undergoing knee surgery. ... Skye Williams, who was a freshman last season, has taken a medical redshirt and remains in school. She is no longer with the program.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Ohio State women’s basketball player preview: Taylor Mikesell

The 2021-22 transfer returns for her final NCAA season, looking to improve pro prospects

www.landgrantholyland.com

Last Season​

The Buckeyes were reeling last year. They lost two starting caliber players to the transfer portal, and their first year back into postseason eligibility following NCAA recruiting sanctions didn’t look like it would end like it did.

A big part of a Sweet Sixteen run and regular season title was Mikesell. On Nov. 7, 2021, the NCAA ruled the guard eligible after transferring from the Oregon Ducks. Mikesell had the freedom to shoot and shoot often.

Mikesell was second in nation with 114 three-pointers made in 240 attempts. While assists were down slightly compared to Mikesell’s first two college years with Maryland, the Buckeyes didn’t need that part of her game. Instead, Mikesell brought scoring consistency and rose to the occasion multiple times throughout the year.

The Northeast Ohio native started every game of the year, including nine games where Mikesell never sat on the bench. That work landed Mikesell on the All-B1G First Team and in the group of five finalists for the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year award.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Douglass to Miss Remainder of the Season Due to Injury | Wisconsin Badgers

MADISON, Wis. – Junior Halle Douglass of the Wisconsin women's basketball team will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season due to a right knee injury.

uwbadgers.com

The Badgers Halle Douglass to miss remainder of season

MADISON, Wis. – Junior Halle Douglass of the Wisconsin women's basketball team will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season due to a right knee injury.

Douglass, a team captain, sustained the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's game at Illinois State.

Statement from Head Coach Marisa Moseley
"My heart hurts for Halle and our team right now as we all process the news of her injury. Halle has been an integral part of our success since our arrival in Madison. I am confident that she will come back stronger and even more impactful upon her return!"

 

[Bfan]

Indiana Sweeps Week Awards

Player of the Week
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Sr. – F – Gorham, Maine – Gorham – Major: Human Development & Family Studies

• Averaged 26.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game with an .880 field-goal percentage and a double-double as No. 6/5 Indiana won both of its games at last weekend’s Las Vegas Invitational
• Went a perfect 10-for-10 from field in a Nov. 25 win over Auburn, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds — her field-goal percentage was three made field goals shy of the Big Ten record, which she also shares (13-of-13 vs. Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 25, 2020)
• Tallied 27 points (12-15 FG) and five rebounds the following night in a victory over Memphis
• A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2021, 2022) and a 2021 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Earns her fourth career Big Ten Player of the Week award
• Last Indiana Player of the Week: Grace Berger (Feb. 14, 2022)

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll

Caitlin Clark, Jr., G, IOWA
Emily Kiser, Grad., F, MICH
Rebeka Mikulášiková, Sr., F, OSU


Freshman of the Week
Yarden Garzon, Indiana
G – Ra’anana, Israel – Ostrovsky – Major: Economics

• Averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game with a 3.33 assist/turnover ratio and a .583 three-point percentage last weekend as No. 6/5 Indiana rolled to victories over Auburn and Memphis at the Las Vegas Invitational
• Scored 21 points (4-7 3FG) and added six rebounds and six assists in the Nov. 25 win over Auburn
• Contributed 17 points (3-5 3FG), six rebounds and four assists the next night against Memphis
• Collects her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week award
• Last Indiana Freshman of the Week: Mackenzie Holmes (Jan. 20, 2020)


2022-23 Big Ten Players of the Week
Nov. 14
P: Monika Czinano, 5th-Yr., IOWA
F: Mara Braun, MINN

Nov. 21
P: Diamond Miller, Sr., MD
F: Mallory Heyer, MINN
F: Serah Williams, WIS

Nov. 28
P: Mackenzie Holmes, Sr., IND
F: Yarden Garzon, IND

Big Ten Conference

The official athletics website for Big Ten Conference

bigten.org

 

[Bfan]

AP Rankings Just Out

#4 Ohio State

#5 Indiana

#10 Iowa

#15 UCLA (Big Ten in 2024)

#17 Michigan

#20 Maryland

NCAA women's college basketball rankings: AP, Coaches, USA Today

Get NCAA women's college basketball rankings from the Associated Press, USA Today/WBCA and NCAA committee.

www.ncaa.com

 

[Bfan]

One writer's opinion, a mostly Ohio State follower:

Big Ten conference basketball returns! Women’s basketball power rankings for the first week of B1G action​

With almost four weeks of the season done and conference play at the forefront, how do the teams rank?

Standings are great. They crown champions and separate the most successful teams from the cellar dwellers. Power rankings are different. They try to find which team is the best, which is something game-in and game-out schedules can hide with upsets and slip-ups.

After over three weeks of the season, its time to decide which Big Ten women’s basketball team is the best. Unlike polls that start from the preseason, these rankings start after teams have already taken the court and start to show what they’re all about, to avoid any No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers preseason situations as they now sit outside of the top 25.

Without further ado, here’s how the teams rank so far.

---

1 - Indiana Hoosiers​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 at Illinois​

The Indiana Hoosiers are one of three teams in the conference heading into Big Ten play with a perfect record. It’s not only the perfection of their 8-0 start, but who they’ve beaten.

While beating the Tennessee Volunteers doesn’t look like as big of a feat in hindsight, their ACC/B1G win against No. 6 North Carolina — a start-to-finish dominating 87-63 result — is made even more impressive with guard Grace Berger watching the win on crutches from the bench.

---

2 - Ohio State Buckeyes​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 at Rutgers​

It’s undeniable that the Ohio State Buckeyes are off to a fantastic start to the season. If there could be a 1A and 1B in the power rankings, the Scarlet & Gray would be up there too, but the tiebreaker is the ranked wins.

Sure, Ohio State has great wins against Tennessee and No. 18 Louisville Cardinals, but both of those teams are not at the same levels as they’ve been in recent history. They’re both loaded with talent, but the experience of the Buckeyes have put both teams with relatively new chemistry forming into a chokehold in 40-minute games.

---

3 - Michigan Wolverines​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 vs. Northwestern​

It seems like an easy pick to put the Michigan Wolverines in at three because they’re the third team with no losses on their record, but a reason they’re up here is because of slip-ups from some other conference powers and one big win.

The Wolverines haven’t had a tough non-conference schedule, starting a bit lighter than usual with center Haz Hillmon now in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream. However, their win against No. 21 Baylor Bears gives them an edge. Forward Emily Kiser’s point average shot up to 20.1 this season after last year’s career high of 9.3 points per game, making the Hillmon departure not nearly as big of a storyline.

---

4 - Maryland Terrapins​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 vs. Nebraska​

Outstanding guard Diamond Miller is the reason the Maryland Terrapins are competing this season, and why they’re at four on the list.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
After some stumbles, although losing to the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks is hardly a shock, Miller is healthy again and leading the Terrapins into a surprisingly good season with two stars transferring out in the offseason.

Thursday, Miller hit the game-winning buzzer-beater to defeat the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 74-72. They’re a scary team for anyone in the Big Ten to face, as long as Miller stays healthy.

---

5 - Iowa Hawkeyes​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 at Wisconsin​

A lot about what’s said of Miller above could apply to Naismith Player of the Year finalist Caitlin Clark. In the Iowa Hawkeyes game against the NC State Wolfpack, Clark scored 45 points — a season-high for an individual scoring performance so far in the early NCAA season. The difference between the two? Iowa lost, and it wasn’t close.

NC State came to Iowa and handed the Clarkeyes a 94-81 defeat. Iowa started the year as a No. 4 seed, but the challenges they’ve placed in front of them this year have all gone against them. Losing to No. 3 UConn in a close game isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but losing to Kansas State isn’t great.

Their best win this year is an away game against the Drake Bulldogs, where it took overtime to beat the unranked side.

---

6 - Purdue Boilermakers​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 5 at Michigan State​

The only tarnish on the Purdue Boilermakers schedule this season is a loss to Florida State, which isn’t much of a tarnish at all. They also haven’t exactly challenged themselves.

Their win against the Syracuse Orange on Wednesday was convincing, but games against the Michigan State Spartans and No. 20 Maryland Terrapins will show a lot more of what this year’s team is about.

---

7 - Illinois Fighting Illini​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 at No. 5 Indiana​

Illinois has created an extra favorable schedule for themselves, including a 100-point win against the same McNeese Cowgirls the Buckeyes put up 99 points on. Until the ACC/B1G Challenge, there wasn’t a sign that this team was going to compete once bigger names arrived on the schedule, especially after losing to the University of Delaware at the Daytona Beach Invitational.

Then, on Wednesday, the Illini put up a 21-point win over the Pitt Panthers. Pitt isn’t the stiffest competition in the ACC, but the win shows that maybe Illinois is better than expected?

---

8 - Minnesota Golden Gophers​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 3 vs. Penn State​

The beginning of the season was exciting for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They had a last-second win against Lehigh University, and came within three points of beating the Virginia Cavaliers on the ACC side’s home court.

One reason is their two freshman standouts in Mara Braun and forward Mallory Heyer. Braun hit a buzzer-beating three against Lehigh and leads the team in scoring with 19.7 points per game. Hayer won B1G Freshman of the Week, averaging nine points and six rebounds per game.

Guard Mara Braun (10) during her 26-point performance against Wake Forest. Twitter | @GopherWBB

If those two stay consistent in their first years, they’ll be a fun and interesting team to watch.

---

9 - Penn State Nittany Lions​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 3 at Minnesota​

The Penn State Nittany Lions are in an opposite situation from Illinois in the first power rankings. Guard Makenna Marisa and the Lions would be higher up this list if not for the ACC/B1G Challenge.

On Nov. 21, Penn State came back for the second largest comeback win in conference history, and largest in program history, when they beat Syracuse after being down by 21 points.

Wednesday, they faced an unranked but undefeated Virginia Cavaliers side in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions were beaten comfortably, and only scored seven points in the first quarter. A single loss doesn’t ruin a season, but it looked a lot like Penn State games over the last couple seasons.

---

10 - Michigan State Spartans​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 5 vs. Purdue​

The Michigan State Spartans had a lot they had to make up this season, highlighted by someone on the Spartans’ beat prior to the season’s tip. The Spartans had six comfortable wins against some smaller teams, but once ranked sides showed up its been a different story.

Sparty is on a three-game losing streak, falling comfortably to the Iowa Cyclones and getting edged by the Oregon Ducks. At the last ACC/B1G Challenge, they fell to Georgia Tech. Losing guard Nia Clouden and forward Tamara Farquhar in the offseason has created a big hole that will take time to fill.

---

11 - Nebraska Cornhuskers​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 at Maryland​

Last season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were the surprise team in the conference. That let them not surprise many people this season, entering ranked No. 22 in the preseason AP poll.

This season, Nebraska’s struggled. A no good, very bad week saw the Cornhuskers on the wrong side of a 77-51 defeat to the No. 20 Creighton Bluejays, and then losing to the Drake Bulldogs by 18 points four days later.

The duo of center Alexis Markowski and guard Jaz Shelley hasn’t been enough to compete against top sides. Against the No. 9-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies, Shelley had six assists but only four points in a lopsided 85-54 defeat.

---

12 - Northwestern Wildcats​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 at No. 17 Michigan​

Nearing the end of the rankings are the Northwestern Wildcats. Northwestern lost their two lone ranked games by 53 and 34 points against the Oregon Ducks and Notre Dame, respectively.

Forward Veronica Burton, a three-time B1G Defensive Player of the Year, isn’t replaceable, and its showing this season.

---

13 - Wisconsin Badgers​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 vs. No. 10 Iowa​

Sitting near the bottom of the power rankings — and last in the standings — this season in the Big Ten are the Wisconsin Badgers. At 3-6 thus far, the Badgers are scoring more than years past, but are also allowing more scoring from opponents.

They might not be last for long, with a possible momentum-building five-point defeat against Florida State in the ACC/B1G Challenge.

---

14 - Rutgers Scarlet Knights​

Last Week: N/A​

Upcoming B1G Games: Dec. 4 vs. No. 4 Ohio State​

When Rutgers announced they’d have an eight-player team this season, it brought up a lot of questions and intrigue. The answers haven’t gone the Scarlet Knight’s way.

To be fair, they’ve packed nine games into their early season schedule, including the Tennessee Volunteers and Texas Longhorns, but they lost both of them handedly. Against Boston College this week, they lost by 14 points and now have to face the Buckeyes, who beat the same BC Eagles by 18.

Things get easier for Rutgers from there, not playing another ranked team after the Buckeyes until Jan. 2 against Maryland, but they’re currently at a -5 turnover margin and giving up 20.9 possessions a game. Not a great time to welcome the team with the highest turnover margin in the NCAA to New Jersey this weekend.

By 1ThomasCostello@1ThomasCostello Dec 3, 2022, 9:31am EST

Big Ten conference basketball returns! Women’s basketball power rankings for the first week of B1G action

With almost four weeks of the season done and conference play at the forefront, how do the teams rank?

www.landgrantholyland.com

 

[Bfan]

Early, early NCAA tournament bracket news including how brackets would look now. Right now 7 Big Ten teams would be in. Minnesota will eventually be there.

And remember that UCLA and USC are moving to the Big Ten in 2024.

Women's Bracketology: No. 1 seeds survive opening day, but make way for Michigan

The Big Ten is flexing one day into the season. The conference has two 1-seeds and matches the SEC's 11 teams as Michigan jumps into the field.

www.espn.com

 

[Bfan]

News Highlights -- See Link for All

• The NCAA issued its initial NET rankings of the 2022-23 season this week, and the Big Ten leads all Division I conferences with five teams in the top 20 and a remarkable 10 schools among the top 50 — No. 4 Indiana, No. 13 Michigan, No. 15 Ohio State, No. 16 Iowa, No. 20 Illinois, No. 33 Nebraska, No. 35 Michigan State, No. 36 Purdue, No. 38 Maryland and No. 48 Penn State. The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) is the primary sorting tool used by the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee for determining NCAA Tournament teams.
• The Big Ten remains tied for the national lead among all conferences with five teams in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll, including two in the top five.
• As of Tuesday, the Big Ten leads all Division I conferences in scoring (77.0 ppg.), field-goal percentage (.457), three-point percentage (.347), free throw percentage (.727) and assists (17.1 apg.), while ranking second (and tops among Autonomy Five conferences) in steals (9.6 spg.).
• It’s called “sharing the sugar”, and so far this season, no conference has been sweeter when it comes to the assist game than the Big Ten.
• In recent years, the Big Ten Conference has cultivated a deserved reputation as the home for an exciting brand of up-tempo basketball. This season, six Big Ten schools are averaging more than 80 points per game, and all rank among the nation’s top 25 scoring offenses reside in the Big Ten, led by Ohio State (4th - 92.8 ppg.), Iowa (7th - 87.2 ppg.) and Indiana (8th - 85.9 ppg.). In addition, eight Big Ten schools have scored at least 100 points in a game this season.
• The Big Ten features some of the sharpest shooting teams in the country, with six schools among the top 20 (and four in the top 10) in the country in field goal percentage, according to the latest NCAA statistical report.

Big Ten Conference

The official athletics website for Big Ten Conference

bigten.org

 

[Bfan]

Final Hurdle Cleared. UCLA Moving to Big Ten on 2024.

And then the Gophers will get off the plane with sun and more sun at that big media market, AKA Hollywood.

Put on a show for them in LA please.

Board OK's UCLA to Big Ten, includes conditions

UCLA's move to the Big Ten was approved by the UC Board of Regents by an 11-5 vote Wednesday, but as part of the decision, the Bruins might have to provide a subsidy to UC Berkeley.

www.espn.com

 

[gwbbfan82]

Final Hurdle Cleared. UCLA Moving to Big Ten on 2024.

And then the Gophers will get off the plane with sun and more sun at that big media market, AKA Hollywood.

Put on a show for them in LA please.

Board OK's UCLA to Big Ten, includes conditions

UCLA's move to the Big Ten was approved by the UC Board of Regents by an 11-5 vote Wednesday, but as part of the decision, the Bruins might have to provide a subsidy to UC Berkeley.

www.espn.com

Maybe it'll be a twofer trip if USC joins. That would be worth a trip in the middle of winter!

 

[Bfan]

#10 UCLA and USC (Big Ten teams in 2024) square off tonight.

USC next season has the #1 2023 prospect in the nation coming to USC to play, guard Judea Watkins, and the #49 prospect, point guard Malia Samuels. UCLA has the #32 prospect coming in, post/center Amanda Muse.

 

[Bfan]

Spartans in midst of five-game losing streak and have lost starter Gabby Elliott to ACL injury.​

"Elliott, who is in her first season with the Spartans after transferring from Clemson, was the team leader in rebounding at 5.5 per game and ranked third in scoring at 9.5 points per game. She had scored in double figures in six of 11 games, including the games against Purdue and Ohio State.

"Gabby is a huge loss," Ayrault said. "We're praying for her. She's going to kill her rehab. Like I said, it's a big loss for us.""

Amid adversity, Michigan State women's basketball looking to find rhythm

With Gabby Elliott sidelined, Spartans look to regroup in upcoming games against Detroit and Prairie View A&M.

www.lansingstatejournal.com

 

[Bfan]

LeBron James gifts Ohio State women's basketball team custom sneakers, Beats​

LeBron James Gifts Ohio State Women's Basketball Team With Beats Headphones and Scarlet and Gray LeBron XX Shoes

The Ohio State women's basketball team received a care package with custom-made Beats and Nike shoes from LeBron James this week.

www.elevenwarriors.com

 

[Bfan]

UCLA and USC hope to elevate women’s basketball in Los Angeles

“It’s a really fun year where we’re 9-0 and they’ve had an incredible start to the year and they’re top 10 at this point,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “That brings the intrigue in.”The Trojans (9-0) have a nearly overhauled roster after adding eight new players. The Bruins (9-1) have leaned on fresh talent as well in the form of its heralded freshman class.

UCLA and USC hope to elevate women’s basketball in Los Angeles

The crosstown rivalry returns, with the 9-1 Bruins, ranked 10th in the country, taking on the unbeaten Trojans in a Pac-12 opener Thursday at the Galen Center.

www.ocregister.com

 

[Chico Gopher]

UCLA won in a close one 59-56.

Bruins Hang on to Beat USC 59-56 in Crosstown Showdown - UCLA

The Bruins have won seven-consecutive games against USC, dating back to Jan. 17, 2020.

uclabruins.com

Ex Gopher Kadi Sissoko with a nice game for the Trojans. 40 minutes, 20 points on 8-15 shooting. 8 boards a steal and 3 turnovers. Looks like she's having a break-out season for the Trojans so far. Nearly 17 points and 6.5 rebounds per game with a team leading 31 minutes a game.

 

[Bfan]

Billie Moore, who was the first U.S. Olympic women's basketball coach and led UCLA to the 1978 national championship, died Wednesday night at her home in California. She was 79.

Ex-UCLA, Olympic hoops coach Moore dies at 79

Billie Moore, who coached the first U.S. women's basketball team to a silver medal in 1976 and UCLA to the 1978 national championship, died Wednesday night at her home in California. She was 79.

www.espn.com

 

[Bfan]

Making basketball news...

High school dunking phenom Toby Fournier of Toronto is coming to college basketball in 2024. Her final choices include two Big Ten teams.

She dunks routinely, including during several of her games posted online.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings, first edition

The order is starting to take shape.

www.insidenu.com

Inside NU ranks the B1G:

At last, we have finally hit the conference scheduling portion of the Big Ten’s basketball season! Although it’s still quite early (note: first edition), we’ve done our best to rank the Big Ten top to bottom, and we know that these power rankings will change mightily throughout the season. Currently, a pair of undefeated teams are in the conversation for the top spot, while several few-loss teams are jostling for the ranks behind them. Northwestern may sit near the bottom at the moment, but with the rest of the conference still on the schedule, anything is possible.

1. No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes​

Record: 13-0 (2-0 B1G)

Next game: @ Northwestern

Since beginning the season ranked 14th in the AP Poll, the Buckeyes have reached new heights up to the third rank in the nation. Their unblemished 13-0 record features ranked victories over No. 5 Tennessee, No. 18 Louisville and No. 16 Oregon. Although Ohio State needed a miracle to beat South Florida last week, a strong win against the Ducks showed the Buckeyes should get right back on track.

2. No. 4 Indiana Hoosiers​

Record: 12-0 (2-0 B1G)

Next game: @ Michigan State

Like their counterpart Buckeyes, the Hoosiers also boast an undefeated record, with ranked victories over both No. 11 Tennessee and No. 6 North Carolina. Unlike Ohio State, they haven’t had a real scare to their perfection. Indiana currently has the number one overall defense in the Big Ten while also shooting the best percentage on offense; that’s a great recipe for success moving forward.

3. No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes​

Record: 10-3 (2-0 B1G)


Next game: vs. Purdue

Since falling to No. 3 UConn and No. 12 NC State consecutively a month ago, the Hawkeyes have found their groove again with five straight wins. That includes two large victories over Wisconsin and Minnesota. On Thursday, Iowa will finally face difficult Big Ten competition when it takes on Purdue, who’s currently right on the fringe of being a tournament team, and will almost certainly be a good matchup. Caitlin Clark continues to wow once again, leading the conference in points per game by over seven, and as long as she’s on the court, the Hawkeyes will be contenders.

4. No. 14 Michigan Wolverines​

Record: 11-1 (1-0 B1G)

Next game: @ Nebraska

The Wolverines are coming off a massive win against No. 6 North Carolina, ensuring that Dec. 8th’s defeat to Toledo was merely an anomaly and moving up five spots in the AP Poll as a result. Michigan has already dipped its feet into Big Ten play, struggling against Northwestern in early December, but now it’ll have a huge opportunity to continue momentum Wednesday against a strong Nebraska team.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers​

Record: 10-3 (2-0 B1G)

Next game: vs. No. 14 Michigan

AP Voters may not be ready to rank the Cornhuskers as the fifth-best Big Ten team yet, but I am. Since its 31-point defeat to No. 9 Virginia Tech on Dec. 1, Nebraska has rattled off five straight victories by an average margin of victory of nearly 22 points a game. Oh yeah, and that includes two ranked opponents in formerly No. 20 Maryland (90-67) and recently No. 20 Kansas (85-79, 3OT).

6. No. 16 Maryland Terrapins​

Record: 10-3 (1-1 B1G)


Next game: vs. Minnesota

Minus Angel Reese (whose LSU Tigers are currently 12-0), it would be foolish to say the Terrapins haven’t skipped a beat. However, they have been far from a disappointment. Maryland hit a bump in the road when it lost by 23 to the aforementioned Cornhuskers, but massive victories over No. 7 Notre Dame, Purdue and No. 6 UConn have shown the potential this team holds.

7. Illinois Fighting Illini​

Record: 11-2 (1-1 B1G)

Next game: @ Wisconsin

The Illini finished the 2021-22 season with a 7-20 record. In less than half as many games, Illinois has already surpassed last year’s win total (and equaled its conference win total), thanks in part to Dayton transfer Makira Cook. Cook is currently seventh in the Big Ten with just under 18 points per game, and her 33 points almost single-handedly took down Indiana in early December.

8. Purdue Boilermakers​

Record: 10-2 (1-1 B1G)

Next game: @ No. 12 Iowa

In his latest Women’s Basketball Bracketology prediction, ESPN’s Charlie Creme ranked Purdue as the first team outside of the NCAA Tournament as of this moment. The Boilermakers are a wildcard in the Big Ten, ranking seventh in offense and eighth in defense, and currently stand as a team that needs strong conference play to sneak into March Madness. Purdue defeated Michigan State in overtime in early December, but fell to No. 20 Maryland the next matchup in a three-point affair.

9. Michigan State Spartans​

Record: 8-5 (0-2 B1G)


Next game: vs. No. 4 Indiana

The Spartans have had a tough go at things early. After starting 6-0, Michigan State dropped five straight, including a 31-point walloping from No. 5 Iowa State and close losses to No. 18 Oregon and No. 3 Ohio State. Add in tight defeats to Georgia Tech and Purdue, and you have a brutal last-month stretch. Things won’t get any easier either, as the Spartans have No. 4 Indiana coming to East Lansing Thursday.

10. Penn State Nittany Lions​

Record: 9-4 (0-2 B1G)

Next game: vs. Rutgers

Despite having fewer losses than the aforementioned Spartans, Penn State slots in behind Michigan State due to its strength of schedule. The Lady Lions have dropped four of their last six contests, with two of them (Minnesota, Drexel in OT) coming to teams with a NET ranking outside the top 100.

11. Minnesota Golden Gophers​

Record: 8-5 (1-1 B1G)

Next game: @ No. 16 Maryland

On Dec. 3, Minnesota took down Penn State in double overtime. Unfortunately, that’s really been one of the only good things to happen to the Gophers this season, as Minnesota seems like it’s on another track for a losing season.

12. Northwestern Wildcats​

Record: 6-5 (0-1 B1G)


Next game: vs. No. 3 Ohio State

In the Big Ten, Northwestern ranks as the worst shooting team, worst three-point shooting team and second-worst free throw shooting team. That’s not exactly a good recipe for success. The Wildcats have dealt with inconsistency all season as the team has struggled to find its identity post-Veronica Burton, and the results have reflected that. Northwestern was blown out by No. 20 Oregon, No. 9 Notre Dame and Duke (now receiving votes) before finally keeping things close against No. 17 Michigan in early December. If the ‘Cats want to show significant improvement going into conference play, they’ll need more scoring from their young stars like Jillian Brown and Melannie Daley.

13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights​

Record: 6-8 (0-2 B1G)

Next game: @ Penn State

One of just two sub-.500 Big Ten teams, Rutgers has had a brutal schedule early, facing three ranked opponents, as well as tough foes Illinois, Princeton and South Dakota State. The Scarlet Knights rank last in the Big Ten in scoring offense and scoring defense, and their schedule definitely won’t get any easier moving forward.

14. Wisconsin Badgers​

Record: 4-9 (0-2 B1G)

Next game: vs. Illinois

It hasn’t been easy sledding for the Badgers, who have yet to pick up a Power Five victory this season. Wisconsin has suffered losses to the likes of Illinois State and VCU, the latter of which has a NET ranking of 193. The Badgers also lost their two conference matches by a combined 59 points, leaving it anyone’s guess if/when they’ll pick up a Big Ten win this season.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Injuries shift Buckeyes women’s basketball to "point guard by committee"

What the point guard spot looks like without either starting player available.

www.landgrantholyland.com

As Bfan posted in the non-conference thread, the Buckeyes are without Sheldon and Greene. Now, Rikki Harris and Taylor Mikesell are sharing the point guard duties.

Wednesday, head coach Kevin McGuff announced after the Buckeyes’ 81-48 victory over Northwestern that Greene’s done for the remainder of the season. Also, there’s no sure timetable for Sheldon’s return, although it’s likely this season. Those injuries create a hole for the Scarlet & Gray, but so far coach McGuff’s “point guard by committee” is working.

That’s what the coach McGuff calls Ohio State’s current position at point guard. Unlike UConn, the Buckeyes don’t have a star-studded list of five-star recruits at the position. Instead, they have a pair of guards who bring different skillsets to the role. The primary name being Rikki Harris.
[...]

“We practice with Rikki (Harris) at the one, T-Mike (Mikesell) at the one, Rikki at the two, T-Mike at the two, so we’ve all seen different kinds of positions, we’re all kind of used to it,” said McMahon. “It’s nothing major. It has been a little bit of an adjustment, but nothing too crazy.”

Now, the committee of the Buckeyes welcome their biggest test when the Michigan Wolverines come to town on New Year’s Eve. Win and maybe it isn’t such a big deal?