Top to bottom, Big Ten women’s basketball was at its strongest in recent memory in the 2009-2010 season. However, the conference’s top-tier disappointed in the NCAA Tournament, with no team making the Sweet 16. But with a large number of returning starters, the Big Ten will should return strong as one of the deepest conferences in the nation, with the elite teams making an impact in March. Here is a squad-by-squad breakdown (2010 result in parentheses):
1. Ohio State (31-5, 15-3. Lost to Mississippi St. 87-67 in NCAA Tournament 2nd Round): The Buckeyes have won a share of the Big Ten title for the past six seasons, so they will keep this top spot until someone knocks them off their well-deserved pedestal. They return all five starters including 6’4” senior Jantel Lavender, who is coming off back-to-back seasons as a first team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year and led the conference in scoring with 21 points per game. Junior guard Samantha Prahalis, who joined Lavender on the Big Ten All-America team, will be back at point guard. She averaged eight assists per game last year, three more than any other Big Ten player.
2. Iowa (20-14, 10-8. Lost to Stanford 96-67 in NCAA Tournament 2nd Round): The Hawkeyes have one of the most dangerous offensive backcourts in the conference with Kachine Alexander, Kamille Wahlin, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jaime Printy. That’s 45 points per game coming back. The 5’9” Alexander is also one of the best rebounders in the conference, pulling down over 10 per game last season. Their up-tempo style and young talent should land Iowa back in the NCAA Tourney.
3. Michigan State (23-10, 12-6. Lost to Kentucky 70-52 in NCAA Tournament 2nd Round): The Spartans lost 6′9″ center Allyssa DeHaan, who was one of the best shot blockers in the country since her arrival in East Lansing. However, they hope to reload with 6′7″ freshman Madison Williams. Michigan State allowed less than 60 points per game last season, so if Williams can step into a DeHaan-like defensive presence, their balanced scoring attack can keep Sparty in the upper-echelon of the Big Ten.
4. Purdue (15-17, 9-9. Lost to Illinois State 59-57 in WNIT 2nd Round): After losing three starters to graduation prior to last season, Coach Sharon Versyp’s squad went through a rebuilding year after several years of contending for a conference title. They lost FahKara Malone, one of the best defenders in the conference (2.8 steals per game), but picked up freshman scoring sensation Courtney Moses. If Moses can pick up the sluggish Boilermaker offense from the get-go, they will be a force in the Big Ten again.
5. Wisconsin (21-11, 10-8. Lost to Vermont 64-55 in NCAA Tournament 1st Round): Heading into Coach Lisa Stone’s 7th season with the program, it appears that the Badgers are finally heading in the right direction. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in her tenure last season and boasted the best scoring defense in the conference, allowing only 56 points per game. However, they lost their two best ball handlers in Rae Lin D’Alie and Teah Gant, the only players on the team with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. Their offense could struggle.
6. Michigan (21-14, 8-10. Lost to Miami (FL) 76-59 in WNIT Final 4): The Wolverines may have finally unearthed the winning formula in Kevin Borseth’s third year with the team, winning 21 games and making a run to the WNIT Final 4. The team returns its top three scorers in Veronica Hicks, Carmen Reynolds and Dayeesha Hollins. They also play excellent defense, allowing opponents a 38 percent shooting rate, while they shot 42 percent. A combination like that means they should be contending in the Big Ten this year.
7. Northwestern (18-15, 7-11. Lost to Michigan 65-44 in WNIT Sweet 16): Despite only losing one impact player in Kristen Cartwright, Coach McKeown’s squad has a lot of fresh faces this season, adding depth and size. Back for her senior season is 6’5” center Amy Jaeschke. She has led the team in points and rebounds in each of her three seasons, and may now have the supporting cast around her to lift the Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament.
8. Minnesota (13-17, 6-12. Did not qualify for postseason play): The Golden Gophers finished last in the Big Ten a season ago, but with six conference wins, that speaks a lot to the overall depth in the conference than to Minnesota’s talent level. Coach Pam Borton is entering her ninth season in a successful career with the team, so last year would appear as an aberration. Junior guard Kiara Buford was Minnesota’s leading scorer and 5’3” senior China Antoine stretches the floor with her accuracy from behind the arc. This combination should ensure that the Gophers aren’t in the cellar for long.
9. Indiana (14-16, 7-11. Did not qualify for postseason play): The Hoosiers took a major step backwards last season, finishing 10th in the Big Ten after back-to-back years winning conference records. However, they had three overtime losses and lost 13 of their 16 games by 10 points or less. They play effective defense around the perimeter, as teams shoot only 28 percent from the three-point line against the Hoosiers. If they figure out how to win close games, the Hoosiers will be back in the mix.
10. Illinois (19-15, 7-11. Lost to Illinois State 57-53 in WNIT Elite 8): The Illini will be without Washington Mystics first-round draft pick Jenna Smith, the 6’3” center that averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game in her senior season. They will also be without point guard Lacey Simpson, who was also the team’s second leading rebounder. The offense only averaged 58 points per game in conference games with Smith and Simpson in the lineup. Now what?
11. Penn State (17-14, 8-10. Lost to Hofstra 76-68 in WNIT 1st Round): The Nittany Lions lost their leading scorer Tyra Grant to the WNBA and she will not be easily replaced. Alex Bentley started 30 of 31 games her freshman year and established herself as a solid point guard, but the loss of Grant could mean she will have to take on more of a scoring role. That is too much to put on one player.