We knew the Big Ten bought larger this season, including 4 former Pac-12 groups. But we’re beginning to get a clearer image of what which means for girls’s faculty basketball. And it is going to be an attention-grabbing convention season.
Michigan State — after getting its largest win of the season final week, 68-66 over Iowa — joins ESPN’s ladies’s faculty basketball Power Rankings this week. That provides the Big Ten 5 of the 16 groups. Four are unbeaten, led by UCLA, which has been No. 1 since its Nov. 24 victory over South Carolina. Maryland, Ohio State and Michigan State are the opposite unbeatens.
USC has one loss: to Notre Dame on Nov. 23. The Trojans have the marquee nationwide sport of the week Saturday, touring to face a UConn group (in Hartford) that picked up its first loss final week, additionally to the Irish.
Like UCLA and USC, Maryland and Ohio State have been within the Power Rankings the whole season. USC, Maryland, Ohio State and Michigan State every have one win over a ranked group. UCLA has two.
Overall, eight of the Big Ten’s 18 groups are ranked in The Associated Press Top 25, with Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska becoming a member of the aforementioned 5. Right now, the Big Ten is second in NET rankings behind the SEC, with six faculties within the high 20. There are going to be some enjoyable battles to look at, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not any of the colleges apart from UCLA and USC are Final Four contenders.
Iowa was the convention’s most profitable group the previous two years, reaching the NCAA championship sport, the place it misplaced to LSU in 2023 and South Carolina in 2024. The Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark gained a variety of nationwide publicity for the Big Ten, however the convention remains to be in search of its first NCAA title since Purdue received in 1999.
There have already been some Big Ten matchups, however league play begins in earnest quickly, and that is once we will get a greater really feel for these groups. Look no additional than Dec. 29 — when Maryland hosts Michigan State, UCLA hosts Nebraska and USC hosts Michigan — as an early indicator of how aggressive the league can be.
Previous rating: 1
Since beating South Carolina, the Bruins have cruised previous six overmatched foes. The most up-to-date: Long Beach State and Cal Poly. Star heart Lauren Betts did not play in Monday’s sport towards the Mustangs in what was described as a precautionary measure for a decrease leg harm. We’ll see if she’s in motion Friday or is rested till Dec. 29 (vs. Nebraska).
Next seven days: vs. Creighton at Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic in San Francisco, (Dec. 20)
Previous rating: 3
The Gamecocks received their 63rd consecutive sport at house Sunday, defeating South Florida 78-62. Freshman Joyce Edwards led the group in scoring (15 factors) for the second time this season. After dropping out of No. 1 within the Power Rankings after its loss to UCLA on Nov. 24, South Carolina is knocking on the door of the highest spot once more.
Next seven days: vs. vs. Charleston Southern (Dec. 19)
Previous rating: 7
Notre Dame beat UConn 79-68 on Thursday, which adopted up an additional time win the week earlier than towards Texas. That provides the Irish three victories over groups ranked within the high 4 when Notre Dame performed them, beginning with USC on Nov. 23. That’s sufficient to propel the Irish again as much as the third spot within the Power Rankings for the second time this season. Guard Hannah Hidalgo had a mixed 56 factors towards UConn and Eastern Michigan, which the Irish trounced 118-49 on Sunday.
Next seven days: vs. Loyola Maryland (Dec. 22)
Previous rating: 2
The Huskies have three victories over ranked opponents, however the loss to Notre Dame stands out as a result of UConn did not end that sport properly. The Huskies had been outscored 23-16 within the fourth quarter and appeared to take a look at mentally within the closing minutes. They adopted that with dominant victories over Georgetown and Iowa State — hitting 20 3-pointers vs. the Cyclones — so we’ll see whether or not a sharper-looking unit faces USC on Saturday.
Next seven days: vs. USC (Dec. 21)
Previous rating: 9
Since their additional time loss to Notre Dame, the Longhorns have received 4 in a row. This previous week, they defeated Southern, Richmond and La Salle. Sophomore Madison Booker continues to steer Texas in scoring at 17.2 PPG and is capturing 54.5% from 3-point vary.
Next seven days: vs. South Dakota State (Dec. 22)
Previous rating: 6
Arkansas switch Jersey Wolfenbarger had her largest sport but in her first season with LSU, getting 18 factors and 15 rebounds in an 85-57 victory over Louisiana on Sunday. Tuesday, the Tigers defeated Seton Hall on the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase in Uncasville, Connecticut. This week, the Tigers will play in Chicago as a homecoming sport for Aneesah Morrow, a local of the Windy City who began her profession at DePaul.
Next seven days: at UIC (Dec. 19)
Previous rating: 4
The Terps did not do something incorrect to drop within the Power Rankings; they bought handed partly as a result of they did not play final week. Plus, they nonetheless have only one win over a ranked group: Nov. 10 vs. Duke. We could have a greater really feel for Maryland within the coming weeks, with three video games towards ranked Big Ten groups from Dec. 29 to Jan. 8.
Next seven days: vs. William & Mary (Dec. 19)
Previous rating: 5
USC blew previous Elon by 58 factors Sunday, a type of filler video games on the schedule. But the focus will shine brightly on the Trojans this week towards UConn. USC has misplaced only one sport: at house by 13 factors to Notre Dame on Nov. 23. A win towards the Huskies in a sold-out XL Center in Hartford on Saturday can be a giant résumé builder.
Next seven days: @ UConn (Dec. 21)
Previous rating: 8
Duke did not play final week and has its remaining video games of 2024 this week. So it is a good time to take inventory of the Blue Devils, who’ve cut up 4 video games towards ranked groups. The losses had been at Maryland and at South Carolina, the wins had been towards Kansas State and Oklahoma on a impartial court docket in Las Vegas. They have a variety of steadiness in scoring and ought to be an ACC contender.
Next seven days: vs. Wofford (Dec. 18), @ South Florida (Dec 21)
Previous rating: 10
Oklahoma beat a ranked group for the second time this season, defeating Michigan 72-62 on Tuesday on the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina. The sport wasn’t performed on the Sooners’ most popular tempo, however they adjusted for the win, led by 12 factors every from Skylar Vann and Payton Verhulst, whereas Raegan Beers had 9 factors and 10 rebounds.
Next seven days: vs. Omaha (Dec. 22)
4:15
Barancyzk and Keys talk about what makes this Oklahoma group particular
Jennie Barancyzk and Lexy Keys spotlight what makes the No. 10 Sooners go on and off the court docket following the win over Oral Roberts.
Previous rating: 11
After a 33-point loss to South Carolina on Dec. 8, the Horned Frogs took out their frustrations this previous week on Louisiana Tech and Samford, successful by 51 and 39 factors. TCU guards Hailey Van Lith and Madison Conner mixed for 89 factors in these two video games. Center Sedona Prince was out Tuesday as a result of she did not really feel properly, coach Mark Campbell stated, nevertheless it’s not anticipated to be severe.
Next seven days: @ UCF (Dec. 21)
1:35
Madison Conner drills eight 3s in 33-point outing for TCU
Madison Conner drops 33 factors and sinks eight 3-pointers, together with seven within the first half, in TCU’s win over Samford.
Previous rating: 12
The Buckeyes beat Youngstown State and Grand Valley State, led by a mixed 50 factors from junior ahead Cotie McMahon. Ohio State has just one presently ranked opponent scheduled for the following month, though Stanford this week may present a problem.
Next seven days: vs. Stanford at Invisalign Bay Area Women’s Classic in San Francisco, (Dec. 20)
Previous rating: 13
The Wildcats beat Middle Tennessee 74-48 on Saturday on the Bill Snyder Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri (the hometown of Kansas State’s legendary former soccer coach). Center Ayoka Lee led the best way with 16 factors, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Next seven days: vs. New Mexico State (Dec. 18), vs. Cincinnati (Dec. 22)
Previous rating: 15
The Mountaineers received 68-46 at Temple on Sunday to complete nonconference play. Their lone loss was to then-No. 5 Texas on a impartial court docket Dec. 1. Picked to complete fifth within the Big 12, they’re certainly one of 5 groups within the convention with one loss. West Virginia begins Big 12 play Saturday — the one sport it has left this month.
Next seven days: @ Colorado (Dec. 21)
Previous rating: NR
The Spartans defeated Iowa regardless of capturing 16-of-27 from the free throw line. For the season, Julia Ayrault and Grace VanSlooten are combining to common 32 factors and simply over 16 rebounds.
Next seven days: West Palm Beach Classic in Florida vs. Montana (Dec. 19) and Alabama (Dec. 20)
Previous rating: NR
Victories over South Dakota State, Oregon and Mississippi State earlier this season stood out. But Georgia Tech actually bought our consideration with Sunday’s 82-76 win at North Carolina to start out ACC play. Freshman guard Dani Carnegie leads the Yellow Jackets with 14.6 PPG. She had 22 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists towards the Tar Heels.
Next seven days: vs. Rice (Dec. 18), vs. Nebraska (Dec. 21)
Fell out: North Carolina Tar Heels, Kentucky Wildcats
