The Too Early 17-18 B1G Predictions

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Ignatius L Hoops

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http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/2017-18-forecast-for-hawkeyes-5th-in-big-ten-20170328

What's March without an early guess at next season's B1G standings? Here's the Gazette's Jeff Linder's 1-14 view.


1. Ohio State

2016-17 record: 28-7. Big Ten: 15-1 (T-1st). Postseason: NCAA Sweet 16

After sharing the title this season with Maryland, Buckeyes are the favorite to claim it solo. Percentage of scoring returning for next season: 87.8.


2.Michigan

2016-17 record: 26-9. Big Ten: 11-5. (3rd). Postseason: WNIT (still playing, in semifinals).

Wolverines were a curious absence when the NCAA field was announced. They’ll make it with ease next year. Percentage of scoring returning for next season: 87.8.


3. Maryland

2016-17 record: 32-3. Big Ten: 15-1 (T-1st). Postseason: NCAA Sweet 16.

Terrapins have good young talent, but graduation of Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Brionna Jones will sting. Percentage of scoring returning for next season: 56.7.


4.Penn State

2016-17 record: 21-11. Big Ten: 9-7 (T-6th). Postseason: WNIT.

After a couple down years, the Lady Lions rebounded this season. Expect the climb to continue. Percentage of scoring returning for next season: 68.0.


5.Iowa

2016-17 record: 20-14. Big Ten: 8-8 (T-8th). Postseason: WNIT.

Two-year WNIT rut should come to an end. Megan Gustafson is arguably the league’s best returning post. Percentage of scoring returning for next season: 73.2.


6. Minnesota

2016-17 record: 15-16. Big Ten: 5-11 (10th). Postseason: None.

Here’s your dark horse. Gophers could make a strong run from sub-.500 to NCAA. Percentage of scoring returning for next season: 91.1.
 

Sounds like he's not aware Mitchell could leave OSU (and that Gondrezick has left Michigan).
 

Yeah, I rhink Michigan falls a couple notches without Gondrezick. If Mitchell returns for OSU, they should probably be the BIG favorite. If not, second behind Maryland. Also I think he's underrating Rutgers at 12th. They have a some key transfers who will be eligible next year and some players returning from injury. Gophers at 6 might be too heavy, but it's certainly possible,
 




Does returning 91% of your scoring mean they will finally be able to play defense ?
 

Maybe graduation can fix some rotation problems. With Hedstrom graduated, least now she cant play 35+ minutes. I wonder if Stollings figures out that T.Bello can play WITH Fenstrom or Edwards. Knowing her Im guessing we will get a lot of 4 guards Bell/Hubbard/Wagner/Pitts which will once again lead to being undersized and out rebounded often.


ruppertflywheel said:
I'm in your boat with that SS. I saw to many head scratchers from her last year, especially the substitution pattern.
Click to expand...
 


http://www.espn.com/womens-college-...huskies-back-top-way-too-early-top-25-2017-18

Charlie Creme's too early top 25 for 2017-18 includes three B1G teams. Crème still thinks Gondrezick is a Wolverine and he also considered Indiana.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Kelsey Mitchell's decision to stay in Columbus, Ohio, for her senior season puts the Buckeyes in position to make a Final Four run. However, that got more difficult when freshmen Kiara Lewis (6.7 PPG last season) and Tori McCoy (8.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG), who looked to be the future of the program, announced they were transferring. The depth took a major hit, but Mitchell still has plenty of talented help. A healthy Stephanie Mavunga and even more contribution from Linnae Harper and Asia Doss will make Ohio State, already the fourth-most prolific offense in the country this past season, even more potent. Alexa Hart should return to a more prominent role and help offset the loss from the graduation of Shayla Cooper.

17. Maryland Terrapins

Losing two All-Americans such as Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough was going to be hard enough, but Destiny Slocum's decision to transfer after just one season in College Park, Maryland, was an unexpected blow. The good news is Slocum (11.5 PPG and 6.0 APG last season) was part of the nation's top recruiting class a year ago. Stephanie Jones and Kaila Charles will lead the way with veteran help from Ieshia Small and Kristen Confroy and the addition of Florida transfer Eleanna Christinaki.


21. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines turned the disappointment of not making the NCAA tournament into a WNIT championship. That makes the return of centerpieces Katelynn Flaherty, the Big Ten's second-leading returning scorer, Hallie Thome, one of the league's best post players, and Kysre Gondrezick, the top freshmen scorer in the Big Ten, that much more promising
 



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