Big Ten WBB: Post-Portal Power Rankings

We are still 134 days away from the beginning of the women’s basketball season, but there is still plenty to talk about in the Big Ten. There’s four teams from the west coast joining the conference and JuJu Watkins is looking to lead USC to a title in their first year. The Trojans added in the portal, while UCLA did the same. Meanwhile, there seem to be questions for each of the traditional Big Ten schools.

How does Iowa fare without Lisa Bluder and Caitlin Clark? Can Cotie McMahon lead the Buckeyes to another Big Ten title? Will Illinois or Nebraska break through for a finish near the top? Will Maryland’s portal haul pay off? With 18 teams, there’s a ton to discuss. I took a stab at ranking the top eight teams in Big Ten after all the transfer portal additions, plus a quick look at everyone else in the conference.

1. USC Trojans (2023-24: 29-6 – Elite Eight)

Caitlin Clark out, JuJu Watkins in. The Big Ten once again will have the best player in the country, as well as a team that can win the national title. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb did not mess around this offseason adding First Team All-Pac 12 Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen (19.4 ppg, 11.0 rpg) and First Team All-Pac 12 Oregon State guard Talia von Oelhoffen (10.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5 apg) from the transfer portal. They also bring back 6’4 center Rayah Marshall (10.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg), while the #1 recruiting class in the country is on the way. The Trojans would be the clear conference favorite if it wasn’t for the team behind them, but they are certainly a national title contender.

2. UCLA Bruins (2023-24: 27-7 – Sweet Sixteen)

Although losing to LSU is hardly a bad loss, bowing out in the Sweet Sixteen was a disappointment for the Bruins last season. They’ll be right back in the hunt for a Final Four this year with guard Kiki Rice (13.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.5 apg) and center Lauren Betts (14.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg) leading the way under head coach Cori Close. Not only do they return four of their top five scorers, UCLA added Washington State transfer guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (13.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.1 apg), Oregon State forward Timea Gardiner (11.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Texas A&M forward Janiah Barker (12.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg). That’s easily one of the best portal hauls in the country. Expect for the Bruins to be in the preseason top five of the AP Poll.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (2023-24: 25-6 – Second Round)

This is the beginning of the stretch of Big Ten teams that could be very interchangeable depending on how you view them. The Buckeyes were always going to be led by star forward Cotie McMahon (14.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), but prior to some transfer portal additions, it looked like OSU was going to have more questions than answers in their starting lineup. Fast forward to now and head coach Kevin McGuff has to feel a lot better. OSU added Oregon guard Chance Gray (13.9 ppg, 3.0 apg) and Kentucky forward Ajae Petty (14.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg) from the portal. It feels like the Buckeyes have the best argument to be at this spot in the rankings.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes (2023-24: 34-5 – National Championship Game)

How will the Hawkeyes ever proceed on as a program without Caitlin Clark and Lisa Bluder? Well, with Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen and longtime assistant coach Jan Jensen leading the way. Prior to her retirement, Bluder made a splash portal landing with Olsen (23.3 ppg) and then turned the keys over to Jan Jensen. Iowa lost a lot from last year’s team, but Hannah Stuelke (14.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Syd Affolter (8.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) are expected to take on bigger roles. The big key for the Hawkeyes will be what they get from junior guard Taylor McCabe (3.3 ppg) and their talented group of freshman. For the first time in a couple of years, Iowa is going to have a bit of an underdog role, but they won’t take the dramatic drop many expect.

5. Illinois Fightining Illini (2023-24: 19-15 – WBIT Champions)

It really felt like last season was supposed to be the breakout year for the Illini. They returned almost everything from a team that made the NCAA Tournament and started the year in the Top 25. Things didn’t go according to plan, but they did make a late run to win the inaugral WBIT. Once again, they return their top four scorers, led by guard Makira Cook (16.4 ppg, 4.4 apg), guard Genesis Bryant (14.2 ppg, 3.2 apg) and forward Kendall Bostic (12.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg). It’s hard to imagine this team underperforming for a second straight season. This is one of the most experienced teams in the conference.

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2023-24: 23-12 – Second Round)

It felt like the last two seasons for Nebraska were a bit short of expectations. They won their fair share of games, but a WNIT appearance and an NCAA second round exit is not what the Huskers were hoping for. Head coach Amy Williams has her star, with center Alexis Markowski (15.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg) returning as the focal point. Around her, the Huskers have plenty of young talent. Big Ten Freshman of the Year forward Natalie Potts (10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and All-Freshman Team guard Logan Nissley (7.0 ppg) really burst onto the scene last year. This year, they will hope that five-star point guard Britt Prince takes a page out of their book and makes an instant impact.

7. Michigan State Spartans (2023-24: 22-9 – First Round)

In their second season under head coach Robyn Fralick, the Spartans will look to make it back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 2016-2017. Losing point guard DeeDee Hagemann keeps MSU from being a potential preseason top 25 team, but grad senior guard Julia Ayrault (15.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg) returns after having a massive redshirt senior season. The big addition in the transfer portal was Oregon forward Grace VanSlooten (15 ppg, 7.1 rpg), which gives the Spartans two players that can score in the mid teens every night. They also added Arizona State guard Jaddan Simmons (9.5 ppg) and Ball State guard Nyla Hampton (8.7 ppg, 4.5 apg). This is an underrated Michigan State team.

8. Maryland Terrapins (2023-24: 19-14 – First Round)

Head coach Brenda Frese does as well as any other coach in the country when it comes to adding talent from the transfer portal. Guard Shyanne Sellers (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.5 apg) and guard Bri McDaniel (12.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg) are the two veterans that will run the show. Now, about that portal haul. Virginia guard Mir McLean (12.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg), Rutgers guard Kaylene Smikle (16.1 ppg), Arkansas guard Saylor Poffenbarger (10.2 ppg, 11.2 rpg), VCU guard Sarah Te-Biasu (16.0 ppg) and UConn forward Amari DeBerry (former five-star). That much new on a roster doesn’t always work and it hasn’t quite paid off for the Terps the past couple of years, which is why I have them this low. But if the group gels well, look out.

9. Indiana Hoosiers (2023-24: 26-6 – Sweet Sixteen)

Boy are the Hoosiers an interesting team going into this season. They’ve got talent and they have a point guard with Chloe Moore-McNeil (10.2 ppg, 5.0 apg), but they will need a primary scorer to emerge. Guard Sydney Parrish (10.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and forward Yarden Garzon (11.7 ppg) can both shoot the lights out, as can Penn State transfer guard Shay Ciezki (11.5 ppg), but none of them have ever been primary scorers.. The other big portal add was Tennessee forward Karoline Striplin (7.2 ppg). If a leading scorer or two emerges early, Indiana can easily move up from here.

10. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2023-24: 20-16 – WNIT Finals)

Minnesota was actually a projected NCAA Tournament team until Mara Braun suffered a foot injury in late January. That derailed everything, going 2-11 down the stretch and they ended up in the WNIT. The Gophers return their entire starting five, which is led by Mara Braun (17.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Amaya Battle (12.1 ppg, 5.4 apg), but Grace Grocholski and Mallory Heyer were big contributors as well. Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit added 6’3 Nebraska forward Annika Stewart and UMass guard Alexsia Rose (11.4 ppg) in the portal. The Gophers went from the youngest team two years ago to a very experienced team this year. An NCAA Tournament appearance is very much within reach.

The Rest of the Pack (alphabetical order)

Michigan Wolverines (2023-24: 20-14 – First Round)

You don’t want to speculate, but you can’t help but wonder if Kim Barnes Arico is on the back end of her career at Michigan. Since the 2022 Elite Eight run, Michigan has had back-to-back first weekend exits and now they lose five of their top six scorers, including Laila Phelia (16.8 ppg) who is headed to Texas. This could be the first non-covid season under Barnes Arico that the Wolverines don’t win 20 games.

Northwestern Wildcats (2023-24: 9-21)

It’s been tough sledding for Northwestern the last couple of seasons, as the ‘Cats have combined for a 18-42 record, including a 6-30 mark in Big Ten play. They ranked 13th in the conference in points per game (66.1) and last in points per game allowed (80.3) last season. Forward Caleigh Walsh (13.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is back and they brought in Brown guard Kyla Jones (17.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg) from the transfer portal, but it might be another tough year in Evanston.

Oregon Ducks (2023-24: 11-21)

I quite honestly don’t know how to dissect the Oregon roster coming into this season. They lost two of their top three scorers to the portal, but guard Peyton Scott (16.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) is back after leading the team in scoring, as is center Phillipina Kyei (8.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg). Then there’s a laundry list of incoming transfers led by North Carolina guard Deja Kelly (16.3 ppg, 3.2 apg), BYU guard Nani Falatea (15.3 ppg), UCSB forward Alexis Whitfield (15.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and Texas forward Amina Muhammad (6.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg). Kind of like Maryland, if the roster can gel quickly, the Ducks might have pretty darn competitive team on their hands.

Penn State Lady Lions (2023-24: 22-13 – WBIT Semifinals)

It felt like Penn State had some momentum going last season, but after just coming up just shy of the NCAA Tournament, things have fallen apart. The Lady Lions lost their top six scorers, including both Leilani Kapinus and Shay Ciezki surprisingly entering the transfer portal. Head coach Carolyn Kieger brought in Michigan State guard Gabby Elliott (out 2023-24) and Bellarmine center Gracie Merkle (15.1 ppg, 11.0 rpg), but it feels like they are back to square one.

Purdue Boilermakers (2023-24: 15-19)

Last season did not live up to preseason expectations, finishing 11th in the Big Ten after an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022. It appears the Boilermakers could be set for a rebuilding season, since they lost all five starters, including standout freshman center Mary Ashley Stevenson (portal). Head coach Katie Gearalds did bring in Akron forward Reagan Bass (16.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg) and SFA guard Destini Lombard (10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) from the portal.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2023-24: 8-24)

Coming off of a season where Rutgers went 8-24 and finished last in the Big Ten, it looks like the Scarlet Knights are in for another tough year. They lost a pair of talented young players the portal in Kaylene Smikle (16.1 ppg) and Jillian Huerter (6.9 ppg). Forward Destiny Adams (15.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg), but their rotation just isn’t where it needs to be to play in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin Badgers (2023-24: 15-17 – WNIT Elite Eight)

Fourth year head coach Marisa Moseley has brought some energy back to Madison, as the Badgers made their first postseason appearance since 2011 last season. The biggest offseason acheivement was keeping All-Big Ten center Serah Williams (17.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg) on the roster, but they also added NKU 6’1 center Carter McCray (15.7 ppg, 11.2 rpg) in the portal. It might not show in the win column this year, but Marisa Moseley is making good progress at Wisconsin.

Washington Huskies (2023-24: 16-15 – WBIT First Round)

The Huskies made it to the WBIT last season and are set to return four starters this season. 6’4 forward Dalayah Daniels (11.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg) leads the way, while four of five players that made 25+ three-pointers last season are back. The Huskies added some height and depth in the portal with Eastern Michigan center 6’3 Tayra Eke (9.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Yale forward Brenna McDonald (8.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg). Washington relied on four underclassmen to play 20+ minutes a game last season and they all return. If they can take the next step, the Huskies could have an NCAA Tournament caliber team.