Big Ten Women’s Basketball 2025-26 Season Power Rankings Revealed
The 2025-26 Big Ten women’s basketball season is already buzzing, with teams showing off both dominance and raw potential. Last year, the league sent a record 12 teams to the NCAA Tournament—no small feat. The Big Ten’s reputation as a women’s basketball powerhouse isn’t fading anytime soon.
UCLA looks like the early favorite, but honestly, this league’s depth means there aren’t any easy nights. Every game feels like it matters. Let’s take a look at where each team stands right now, and what’s coming up for them.
Top Contenders
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UCLA Bruins
UCLA started strong, racking up two convincing wins over San Diego State and UC Santa Barbara. Lauren Betts leads the way, and there’s a real sense of confidence around this squad.
But their schedule gets tough in a hurry, with Oklahoma, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee on the horizon. If you want a deeper dive on UCLA’s hot start, check out the Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings.
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland wasted no time making a statement, cruising past Loyola (Maryland) and UMBC. Coach Brenda Frese has this team focused and ready.
Their Thanksgiving trip to Puerto Rico should tell us a lot about where they stand against tougher opponents.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan opened their season by absolutely rolling Canisius by 60 points. That’s a tone-setter if there ever was one.
Next up: a gauntlet of games against Notre Dame, UConn, and Syracuse before Thanksgiving. We’ll know a lot more about them soon.
Teams to Watch
USC Trojans
USC got things going with a win over New Mexico State, even though JuJu Watkins didn’t play. That’s impressive in itself.
Their non-conference schedule is brutal: North Carolina State, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and UConn all await. These games could really shake up the rankings.
Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State came out swinging, demolishing Mercyhurst 125-39. That’s a statement, no matter the opponent.
They’ll likely cruise through the rest of their non-conference slate, but the real test comes with their Big Ten opener on December 7.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa started off with a solid win against Southern. Now, they’re gearing up for in-state battles with Drake and UNI.
The Hawkeyes will also head to Orlando for the WBCA Showcase, which should give us a better sense of their ceiling this year.
Mid-Tier Teams with Potential
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s first game, against Coppin State, is set for November 9. That’s a bit later than most teams.
The real highlight, though, is their November 16 trip to UConn. That’s a huge early test.
Washington Huskies
Washington opened with a comfortable 90-43 win over Seattle U. They’ll stay close to home until January 11, when they finally hit the road for Purdue.
This gives them a chance to build some rhythm before the travel grind kicks in.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana took care of Lipscomb and UIC to open the season. Now, they’re headed to Florida for the Coconut Hoops tournament.
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Facing Florida State and Florida Gulf Coast will be a good barometer for where they stand.
Teams Looking to Prove Themselves
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska started things off with a convincing win over Northwestern State. They’ve got two more home games before a showdown with North Dakota State at the Sanford Pentagon.
That matchup should tell us a lot about their early-season form.
Oregon Ducks
Oregon opened their non-conference schedule by blowing out West Georgia 100-59. Three more home games are coming up before they travel to Washington State on November 19.
This stretch is a good chance for them to work out any kinks in their game plan.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois is hitting the road more than most in non-conference play. After beating SEMO, they’ll see Oregon State, Florida State, and Missouri soon.
That schedule will definitely test their resilience.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota faces Marquette, Kansas, and South Florida before opening Big Ten play against Maryland on December 7. These games will really set the tone for their season.
Teams Building Momentum
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State started off with wins over Bucknell and Cincinnati. Next up: a trip to St. Joseph’s and the Battle for Atlantis tournament.
They’ll look to build some chemistry and confidence during this stretch.
Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin’s got an early test at Marquette, plus a trip to the Daytona Beach Classic over Thanksgiving. It’s a chance to get some real experience and tweak their approach.
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern squeaked by IU Indianapolis, 67-64, in their opener. They’ve got a trip to DePaul on November 17 and the Fort Myers Tip-Off coming up.
We’ll see if they can find another gear soon.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers started with wins over Wagner and Quinnipiac. Their first big test is a November 20 game at Auburn.
That matchup should show us how ready they are for tougher competition.
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue kicked off the season with wins over FDU and Eastern Illinois. Now, they’re heading out for back-to-back road games at Purdue Fort Wayne and Kentucky.
These matchups should give them a chance to build some momentum. Honestly, it’s always interesting to see how a team handles early road trips—sometimes it reveals more than any home opener ever could.
The Big Ten women’s basketball season looks like it’s going to be a wild ride. Every team brings something different to the table.
If you’re looking for more details and regular updates, check out the full Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings.