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Big Ten Women’s Basketball Highlights and Rankings for Jan. 10-13

ByCoach

The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Conference is heating up. We head into a weekend packed with thrilling matchups, remarkable individual performances, and historic milestones. Several teams are ranked in the national polls, and players are making headlines. With several teams ranked in the national polls and players making headlines, the competition is fierce. This article delves into the latest standings, key games, notable players, and significant achievements in the 2024-25 season. For detailed insights, visit the Big Ten Women’s Basketball official website.

Upcoming Key Games

This weekend, the Big Ten Conference features eight games. Each game showcases at least one team ranked or receiving votes in the national polls. Notably, three games will be broadcast on national platforms. The remaining matchups will be streamed live on B1G+.

Highlighted Matchups

  • No. 8/7 Maryland vs. Wisconsin on the Big Ten Network
  • Iowa hosting Indiana on Peacock
  • Penn State vs. No. 4/5 USC in L.A.

As we approach the weekend, UCLA and USC lead the conference standings with perfect 5-0 records. Meanwhile, Ohio State is close behind with a 4-0 mark.

Player Spotlights

The John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List includes five standout players from the Big Ten:

  • Lucy Olsen (Iowa)
  • Cotie McMahon (OSU)
  • Lauren Betts (UCLA)
  • Kiki Iriafen (USC)
  • JuJu Watkins (USC)

USC is one of the five programs with multiple players on this prestigious list, reflecting their strong performance this season.

Notable Performances

Several players have delivered exceptional performances recently:

  • Deja Kelly of Oregon secured a thrilling 63-61 victory over Penn State with a last-second jumper.
  • JuJu Watkins of USC scored 24.4 points per game, leading the conference in scoring.
  • Lauren Betts of UCLA was named one of the Ann Meyers Drysdale National Players of the Week by the USBWA.

Team Achievements

The Big Ten Conference has seen remarkable team performances and milestones:

  • Illinois secured its second ranked win of the season against No. 23 Iowa.
  • Ohio State handed Michigan its first home loss of the season.
  • Indiana notched its 900th program win with a victory over Northwestern.
  • UCLA tied its record for the best start to a season at 16-0.

Rankings and Polls

This week’s Associated Press (AP) poll features seven Big Ten teams, with UCLA maintaining the top spot. The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today poll includes six Big Ten teams, highlighting the conference’s strength.

In the NCAA NET rankings, the Big Ten boasts 12 teams in the top 40. Six of these teams are in the top 25, underscoring the conference’s competitive nature.

Statistical Leaders

Several players are leading the conference in key statistical categories:

  • JuJu Watkins (USC) – 24.4 points per game
  • Elle Ladine (Washington) – 22.0 points per game
  • Genesis Bryant (Illinois) – 21.8 points per game
  • Destiny Adams (Rutgers) – 21.4 points per game
  • Gabby Elliott (Penn State) – 20.8 points per game

On the rebounding front, Kendall Bostic (Illinois) leads with 11.6 rebounds per game. Saylor Poffenbarger (Maryland) and Destiny Adams (Rutgers) follow closely.

National Recognition

The Big Ten Conference is well-represented on the national stage. Several players rank in the top 15 in various categories:

  • Addison O’Grady (Iowa) – 4th in field goal percentage (67.4%)
  • Gracie Merkle (Penn State) – 7th in field goal percentage (65.1%)
  • Lauren Betts (UCLA) – 13th in field goal percentage (61.6%)

JuJu Watkins (USC) ranks fourth in total points and third in points per game nationally. Meanwhile, Serah Williams (Wisconsin) is among the top in rebounds and blocks per game.

Offensive Powerhouses

The Big Ten Conference is known for its offensive prowess, with six teams averaging over 80 points per game. These teams are among the nation’s top 25 scoring offenses:

  • Ohio State – 86.2 points per game (9th)
  • USC – 84.1 points per game (11th)
  • Michigan State – 83.3 points per game (15th)
  • Maryland – 83.1 points per game (16th)
  • UCLA – 82.9 points per game (17th)
  • Michigan – 80.6 points per game (23rd)

Strength of Schedule

The Big Ten ranks second in the nation for the toughest strength of schedule among Division I conferences. The conference also leads in assists, field goal percentage, points, and rebounds, demonstrating its overall strength and competitiveness.

Attendance and Fan Support

The Big Ten has consistently ranked among the top conferences in women’s basketball attendance. This season, 14 Big Ten schools are among the top 50 in the nation for average attendance. Nine of them are in the top 25:

  • Iowa – 14,998 fans per game (2nd)
  • Indiana – 10,536 fans per game (4th)
  • Maryland – 8,551 fans per game (8th)
  • Ohio State – 5,653 fans per game (13th)
  • Nebraska – 5,146 fans per game (16th)
  • Oregon – 5,120 fans per game (17th)
  • UCLA – 5,051 fans per game (18th)
  • Illinois – 4,889 fans per game (23rd)
  • USC – 4,873 fans per game (24th)

Weekly Honors

Maryland’s Kaylene Smikle and USC’s JuJu Watkins were named Big Ten Co-Players of the Week for their outstanding performances. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Tori McKinney earned her first weekly laurel as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Non-Conference Success

The Big Ten stands second among all Division I conferences with 169 non-conference wins this season. The conference has also secured several notable upsets against ranked non-conference opponents, including victories by Oregon, Illinois, Maryland, Indiana, and USC.

Historic Rankings

On Dec. 2, the Big Ten made history with nine women’s basketball teams ranked in the Associated Press (AP) poll, a first for the conference. UCLA’s rise to the No. 1 spot marked a significant milestone for the program.

Hall of Fame Induction

Rutgers legend Cappie Pondexter was selected as one of seven inductees into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2025 class. Her illustrious career includes back-to-back BIG EAST Championships, a successful WNBA career, and a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Looking Ahead

The 2024-25 Big Ten Women’s Basketball season continues to captivate fans with its high level of competition and outstanding performances.

With a packed schedule, national recognition, and strong fan support, the future looks bright for the Big Ten.

For more information and updates, visit the Big Ten Women’s Basketball official website.

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