Big Ten Women’s Basketball Rankings: Mid-Season Standings Tighten Up
Big Ten women’s basketball is heating up as the 2025-26 season rolls on. Teams are fighting hard for that top spot.
The latest USA TODAY Sports Network power rankings show some big shifts. Key wins and a few surprise losses have really shaken things up.
This blog takes a closer look at the rankings. We’ll break down how each team’s doing and what that might mean for the rest of the season.
The Top Contenders
Table of Contents
As of February 6, the **Bruins** stand alone at the top of the Big Ten women’s basketball league. They just picked up home wins over Iowa and Rutgers—nothing too flashy, but they keep piling up the Ws.
The Bruins’ steady run has locked them into first place. Right now, they’re the team everyone’s chasing.
Bruins’ Dominance
With a strong record and a streak of wins, the Bruins look like the clear frontrunners. They’ve shown they can stay calm and close out games, even when the pressure isn’t high.
That kind of composure could really matter when the schedule gets tougher.
Rising Stars
Some teams are catching fire and climbing the rankings. The **Spartans** and **Golden Gophers** especially stand out lately.
Spartans’ Grit
The Spartans gutted out an overtime win at Michigan State, then grabbed a home victory over Nebraska. Those wins pushed them up the rankings and showed they might be able to shake up the top tier.
Golden Gophers’ Breakthrough
Minnesota pulled off a big road win inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It’s their first win at Iowa since 2007.
That kind of breakthrough says a lot about how far they’ve come—and maybe what’s still possible.
Teams Facing Challenges
While some teams are surging, others are struggling to keep pace. The **Hawkeyes** and **Nebraska** are both in rough patches right now.
Hawkeyes’ Struggles
The Hawkeyes started strong with a 9-0 league record. Lately, though, they’ve stumbled—getting swept in Los Angeles and then losing at home to Minnesota.
They’ll need to regroup if they want to stay in the hunt.
Nebraska’s Downward Spiral
Nebraska has lost five of their last seven and seven of their last eleven. Double-digit road losses to Ohio State and Michigan haven’t helped.
That slide has really hurt their place in the standings.
Turnaround Stories
Some teams have managed to bounce back after tough stretches. It’s always interesting to see who finds a way out.
Maryland’s Revival
Maryland, after a second four-game losing streak since 2002-03, finally snapped out of it. They beat Michigan State 86-70 on the road.
Maybe that’s the spark they need to get back on track.
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Oregon’s Comeback
The Ducks dropped four straight, then flipped the script with four wins in a row. They took down Maryland and Illinois along the way.
That turnaround shows they’re not done yet.
Consistency Issues
Teams like **Washington** and **Illinois** have their moments, but can’t quite string them together. Makes you wonder what’s holding them back.
Washington’s Rollercoaster
Washington’s last three games pretty much tell the story. They won a double-overtime battle at Maryland to stretch their streak to five, then came home and lost to Illinois and Ohio State.
Illinois’ Mixed Results
The Fighting Illini split their Pacific Northwest trip. They beat Washington but fell to Oregon.
They’ve got potential, but need to find some stability if they want to move up.
Teams in Recovery
Some squads are working to bounce back from tough stretches. It’s a mixed bag so far.
USC’s Steady Progress
After upsetting Iowa, the Trojans handled business in two easier games against Rutgers and Northwestern. They’re moving up, bit by bit.
Penn State’s First Victory
Penn State finally snapped an 11-game skid with a road win at Purdue. That’s their first win since December 20.
Maybe it’s just what they need to turn things around.
Struggling Teams
Some teams just can’t seem to get it going. The league’s tough, and it’s showing for a few programs.
Wisconsin’s Downturn
Wisconsin lost at home to Indiana, which puts them on a three-game losing streak. Now they’re two games under .500 in Big Ten play.
They’ll have to find answers fast.
Purdue’s Repeated Losses
Purdue is on their second three-game losing streak in conference play. Losses to Minnesota and Penn State have really hurt.
Breaking that cycle won’t be easy.
Northwestern’s Woes
The Wildcats are stuck on a five-game losing streak after double-digit defeats to Indiana and USC. It’s a tough league, and they’re feeling it right now.
Rutgers’ Tough Stretch
Rutgers faced all four West Coast schools back-to-back. They dropped home games to Washington and Oregon.
Then, they lost again in Los Angeles. This rough run really hurt their standings.