2024-25 Big Ten preview

From USC’s JuJu Watkins joining the conference, to Iowa’s Caitlin Clark departing, to some teams undergoing major roster upheaval, there’s lots to focus on in what could be women’s college basketball’s premier conference this season.

Here’s a preview of all 18 teams, listed alphabetically. Unless otherwise hyperlinked, player statistics are from Sports-Reference. Looking for a specific team? Click the links below to skip to your favorites.

Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State | Oregon | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | UCLA | USC | Washington | Wisconsin

Illinois

It was a disappointing regular season for the Illini in 2023-24. After reaching the NCAA Tournament in Shauna Green’s first year in charge, Illinois took a step back last season because of injuries and inconsistency.

But the team rallied down the stretch, winning five straight games in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) to end the year with a championship.

That momentum has carried into preparation for this season so far, and having one of the most experienced rosters in the Big Ten should help parlay that momentum into on-court success.

“You don’t see it these days where you keep Makira [Cook], Gen [Bryant] and Kendall [Bostic]. [They] all had an opportunity to go somewhere else, and they decided to stay,” Green told The Next at Big Ten media day on Oct. 2.

“In the world of NIL and big money being thrown around, it’s one of the things I’m probably most proud of our program — we developed a vision and a culture that they wanted to stay and maybe gave up some money and didn’t even care about that to stay and do something to really leave a legacy here at Illinois. I think that says a lot about them as people, and we want to continue to recruit people like that.”

Notes to know (players’ 2023-24 stats are in parentheses):

2023-24 season summary: 19-15 (8-10 Big Ten; ninth in conference), won WBIT championship over Villanova

Incoming transfers: 

• Lety Vasconcelos (Baylor, 6’7, C, So. – 1.1 ppg)
• Jasmine Brown-Hagger (Mississippi State, 5’9, G, So. – 2.1 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Camille Jackson (Miami Ohio, 5’11, G, Jr. – 0.7 ppg) 
• Kam’Ren Rhodes (Akron, 5’6, G, Jr. – 1.1 ppg)
• Aicha Ndour (Wichita State, 6’6, C, Sr. – 1.3 ppg)
• Samantha Dewey (Richmond, 6’2, F, Jr. – 1.5 ppg) 

Graduates: 

• Jada Peebles (4.7 ppg)
• Camille Hobby (9.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Irene Noya Catoira (6’3, F)
• Mia Zenere (5’11, G)
• Berry Wallace (6’1, F)
• Hayven Smith (6’6, C)

Key returners: 

• Genesis Bryant (fifth-year – 14.2 ppg, 3.2 apg)
• Makira Cook (fifth-year – 16.4 ppg, 4.4 apg)
• Adalia McKenzie (Sr. – 11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.4 spg)
• Kendall Bostic (fifth-year – 12.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg)

Indiana

In a world of ever-changing rosters, Indiana head coach Teri Moren has built a remarkable level of consistency in Bloomington. While she’ll have to replace Mackenzie Holmes, who for most of her five-year career was one of the top players in the country, Moren oversaw one of just two programs in the Big Ten that didn’t lose a single player to the transfer portal this offseason. (Iowa is the other.)

“You never want to lose kids,” Moren told The Next at media day. “Retaining players has always been what we’ve always wanted to do with our program, and it’s really hard right now. So yeah, I take a lot of pride in it. … They all have to realize, especially those young kids, there was always somebody before you that was sitting in the same seat that you are now sitting in.

“You look at a kid like Chloe Moore-McNeil that sat in that seat for some time and then just kept working and kept working and kept working. She’s become one of the all-time best to ever play at Indiana.”

The Hoosiers have also been surgical in recent years in adding players through the portal. Shay Ciezki, one of the stronger 3-point shooters available, will help replace the major void created by Sara Scalia’s graduation. 

And Holmes hasn’t gone too far. She’ll be a graduate assistant for Moren this season, bringing the number of former Moren players on staff to three, alongside Ali Patberg and Keyanna Warthen.

“Now I’m really finding out some of the dirt, some of the stuff that happened on road trips or in practice,” Moren joked. “Just to hear the laughter, the storytelling that goes on. You hope that your kids get a great experience, but also they get a lot of stories to tell when they’re done. It just confirms that we’re doing right by these guys. When they want to come back and work for you, that’s a pretty cool thing. I’m still coaching them; I’m just coaching them in a different kind of way now.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 26-6 (15-3 Big Ten; third in conference), lost to South Carolina in Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Shay Ciezki (Penn State, 5’7, G, Jr. – 11.5 ppg)
• Karoline Striplin (Tennessee, 6’3, F, Sr. – 7.2 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: None

Graduates: 

• Mackenzie Holmes (19.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg)
• Sara Scalia (16.3 ppg, 2.4 apg, 42.7% 3-point)
• Arielle Wisne (0.2 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Valentyna Kadlecova (6’, G)
• Sydney Fenn (6’3, F) 
• Faith Wiseman (6’4, F)

Key returners: 

• Yarden Garzon (Jr. – 11.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 42.2% 3-point)
• Chloe Moore-McNeil (Gr. – 10.2 ppg, 5.0 apg, 1.4 spg)
• Sydney Parrish (Gr. – 10.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
• Lexus Bargesser (Jr. – 4.3 ppg, 2.8 apg)

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Iowa

Iowa head coach Jan Jensen is under no illusions that conversations of Caitlin Clark will suddenly cease now that Clark is in the WNBA. 

“I think Michael Jordan‘s still part of North Carolina,” she told reporters at Big Ten media day.

But the Hawkeyes will look starkly different this season because of more than just Clark’s departure. Jensen is replacing Lisa Bluder, a stalwart on the sidelines for nearly a quarter century. And she has to replace not only Clark, but also the on- and off-court contributions of Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Molly Davis.

“Everybody always wants to be the New York Yankees,” Jensen said. “It was kind of fun to be that the last couple of years in some ways, the favorite with those mature teams, the longevity of Caitlin, Kate, Gabbie and that starting lineup. But it’s also fun to be the underdog. America always cheers, typically, for the underdog.”

Among the players expected to play a big role: Villanova transfer Lucy Olsen. She’s a player, Jensen said, who will bring a “craftier” style to the point guard position.

“Lucy Olsen plays the midrange game about as well as I’ve seen it played,” Jensen said. “She kind of reminds you of a running back that’s small and they’re kind of hard to tackle, and you think, ‘How is that guy getting through that backfield?’ That’s how Lucy Olsen is. She’s a little slighter in her build, but boy, she can create a seam and pull up and hit a fader. I think that’s what’s going to be fun for the Iowa fan base.” 

Her pairing with Hannah Stuelke in the post should be a difficult duo for opposing teams to slow down.

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 34-5 (15-3 Big Ten; second in conference), lost to South Carolina in national championship game

Incoming transfers: 

• Lucy Olsen (Villanova, 5’9, G, Sr. – 23.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Outgoing transfers: None

Graduates: 

• Caitlin Clark (31.6 ppg, 8.9 apg, 7.4 rpg, 1.7 spg)
• Molly Davis (5.9 ppg, 3.0 apg, 40.7% 3-point)
• Kate Martin (13.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg)
• Gabbie Marshall (6.1 ppg, 1.6 apg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Taylor Stremlow (5’10, G)
• Ava Heiden (6’4, C)
• Aaliyah Guyton (5’7, G)
• Callie Levin (5’9, G)
• Teagan Mallegni (5’10, G)

Key returners: 

• Sydney Affolter (Sr. – 8.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 41.4% 3-point)
• Kylie Feuerbach (R-Sr. – 2.6 ppg)
• Addison O’Grady (Sr. – 3.9 ppg)
• Hannah Stuelke (Jr. – 14.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg)

Maryland

Head coach Brenda Frese had one of the busier offseasons among Big Ten coaches after losing four players to the transfer portal and three more to graduation. But her team enters 2024-25 reloaded.

Among the key additions are guards Kaylene Smikle and Sarah Te-Biasu, who each averaged over 16 points per game last year; Saylor Poffenbarger, who averaged a double-double at Arkansas; Mir McLean, who nearly averaged a double-double at Virginia; and Christina Dalce, the 2024 BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Joining a roster that already features Shyanne Sellers, Bri McDaniel and Allie Kubek, the Terps should be a tough team to slow down. Still, Frese knows it can take time for all the new pieces to gel.

“It was a long year … to get to that final place of beating Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed and then getting to the NCAAs and just being persistent,” Frese told Big Ten Network at media day. “I thought we were very resilient as a group, and we didn’t let the highs or lows get too far out of reach. Some valuable lessons.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 19-14 (9-9 Big Ten; eighth in conference), lost to Iowa State in first round of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Kaylene Smikle (Rutgers, 6′, G, Jr. – 16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
• Saylor Poffenbarger (Arkansas, 6’2, G, R-Jr. – 10.2 ppg, 11.2 rpg)
• Sarah Te-Biasu (VCU, 5’5, G, Gr. – 16 ppg, 3.9 apg, 2.0 spg)
• Mir McLean (Virginia, 5’11, G, Gr. – 12.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg)
• Amari DeBerry (UConn, 6’6, F, Sr. – 1.0 ppg)
• Christina Dalce (Villanova, 6’2, F, Sr. – 8.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg) 

Outgoing transfers: 

• Summer Bostock (Houston, 6’1, G, So. – 1.7 ppg)
• Hawa Doumbouya (Virginia, 6’7, C, So. – 2.1 ppg)
• Riley Nelson (Duke, 6’2, G, So. – 5.1 ppg)
• Faith Masonius (Seton Hall, 6’1, G, Gr. – 6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg) 

Graduates: 

• Lavender Briggs (8.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
• Brinae Alexander (9.2 ppg, 1.2 spg)
• Jakia Brown-Turner (13.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Ava McKennie (6’2, G/F)
• Kyndal Walker (5’9, G)
• Breanna Williams (6’2, F)

Key returners: 

• Shyanne Sellers (Sr. – 15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.5 apg)
• Allie Kubek (Gr. – 9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 52.6% 3-point)
• Bri McDaniel (Jr. – 12.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 spg)

Michigan

For a program that’s been one of the more stable in the conference, it was a tumultuous offseason for head coach Kim Barnes Arico. Star Laila Phelia transferred to Texas, and leading rebounder Cameron Williams departed for Miami (FL). 

That, combined with the graduations of Lauren Hansen and Elissa Brett, makes the Wolverines one of the less experienced teams this season. With three incoming transfers (two of whom have two remaining years of eligibility) and five freshmen, there will be lots of new faces on the floor in Ann Arbor. 

“Our freshmen class is absolutely incredible,” Barnes Arico told The Next. “They’re just a bright light. They’re a bright spot. They smile. They love basketball. They’re super excited for the opportunity to compete in our league and to be a part of our program. It’s just been fun at practice. It’s a renewed energy.

“And then we have three transfers that have been added to that group that are just thrilled to be at the University of Michigan and thrilled to compete in the Big Ten.”

Amid all the change, senior Jordan Hobbs looks to be key for Barnes Arico as the only returner who averaged at least 10 minutes per game last season.

“When some people went into the portal, our remaining players really rallied and really came together and talked about just their opportunity to be at Michigan, their opportunity to be inside our program and their opportunity, they felt, to be at the greatest university in the world. And Jordan Hobbs kind of led that,” Barnes Arico said. “Her growth as a player over her time at Michigan has been phenomenal, but that’s the same as all the players that stay within our program. Their improvement is exponential, and Jordan just has been phenomenal.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 20-14 (9-9 Big Ten; sixth in conference), lost to Kansas in first round of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Yulia Grabovskaia (MTSU, 6’5, C, Jr. – 3.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
• Brooke Q. Daniels (Oakland, 5’7, G, Jr. – 13.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.0 apg)
• Ally VanTimmeren (Boston College, 6’2, F, Gr. – 5.7 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Elise Stuck (Ball State, 6’1, G, Gr. – 1.9 ppg)
• Taylor Woodson (Minnesota, 6′, F, So. – 1.9 ppg)
• Taylor Williams (Northwestern, 6’2, F, Gr. – 4.3 ppg)
• Chyra Evans (Utah, 6’2, F, Jr. – 6.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
• Cameron Williams (Miami, 6’3, F, Gr. – 7.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
• Laila Phelia (Texas, 6′, G, Sr. – 16.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg) 

Graduates: 

• Elissa Brett (7.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
• Lauren Hansen (11.9 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg)
• Taylor Williams (4.3 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Olivia Olson (6’1, G)
• Mila Holloway (5’10, G)
• Syla Swords (6’, G)
• Te’Yala Delfosse (6’3, G/F)
• Aaiyanna Dunbar (6’2, F)

Key returners: 

• Jordan Hobbs (Sr. – 9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg)
• Greta Kampschroeder (Sr. – 2.4 ppg)

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Michigan State 

By most measures, Michigan State head coach Robyn Fralick exceeded all expectations in 2023-24, her first in East Lansing. Repeating that same level of success, which included a trip to the NCAA Tournament, won’t be easy without last year’s top two scorers, Moira Joiner (graduated) and DeeDee Hagemann (transferred).

But one of the hallmarks of Fralick’s teams is balance; last year’s group featured five players who averaged at least 9.6 points per game. So with experienced guards Julia Ayrault, Jocelyn Tate and Theryn Hallock returning and some key transfers coming in — including Grace VanSlooten, who averaged 15.0 points per game at Oregon last year — the Spartans have the potential to build off their success.

Another hallmark of Fralick’s teams is the free-flowing offense she likes to run. With roster turnover becoming more and more common, though, she’s focusing on keeping things as easy to learn as possible. 

“We play and teach in a system that is simple — not easy — but simple enough to learn,” Fralick told The Next. “And I also think from a playing perspective, with the way basketball is changing, with athletics changing, [the transfer] portal, all these pieces, you have to pay attention to that, too. Do you have a system that can be learned? Or do you have to be there three years to really understand it?

“We’re always trying to find ways of, ‘How can we do this in a way that we can all pick this up and figure it out together?’”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 22-9 (12-6 Big Ten; fourth in conference), lost to North Carolina in first round of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Emma Shumate (Ohio State, 6’1, G, Jr. – 4.0 ppg)
• Jaddan Simmons (Arizona State, 5’9, G, Gr. – 9.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.4 apg)
• Grace VanSlooten (Oregon, 6’3, F, Jr. – 15.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.6 apg)
• Nyla Hampton (Ball State, 5’7, G, Gr. – 8.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.8 apg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Bree Robinson (James Madison, 5’8, G, So. – 1.6 ppg)
• Lauren Ross (Purdue Fort Wayne, 5’10, G, Gr. – 2.3 ppg)
• Gabby Elliott (Penn State, 5’10, G, Gr. – 7.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
• DeeDee Hagemann (Memphis, 5’7, G, Sr. – 12.3 ppg, 5.2 apg)

Graduates: 

• Tory Ozment (9.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
• Moira Joiner (14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 44.2% 3-point)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Sinai Douglas (5’4, G)
• Helen Holley (6’1, F)
• Inés Sotelo (6’3, C)
• Juliann Woodard (6’, F)

Key returners: 

• Julia Ayrault (Gr. – 15.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.1 bpg)
• Jocelyn Tate (Sr. – 6.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.7 spg)
• Theryn Hallock (Jr. – 11.2 ppg, 2.6 apg)

Minnesota

The Golden Gophers might not be top of mind when thinking about teams that can finish near the top of the Big Ten in 2024-25, but they should certainly be considered worthy of such recognition.

Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s first season leading the program was more successful than most recognize: Minnesota won 20 games for the first time since 2018-19, despite losing star Mara Braun for 11 games beginning in late January. And the Gophers return their top five scorers from that team, putting this group in position to have a strong season. 

“Having a chance to be with our players for an additional year has been incredible,” Plitzuweit told Big Ten Network during media day. “They are like sponges. They want to continue to learn and to grow. And they’re very hungry, so we’re really excited for the year moving forward.”

Between Braun, Amaya Battle, Grace Grocholski, Sophie Hart and Mallory Heyer, there should be no shortage of scoring options for Minnesota.

“These young ladies are giving it everything that they have, and they’re continuing to grow and progress. And I can tell you that as of today, we are a lot better than we were one year ago, and so that’s exciting for us,” Plitzuweit said. “We are still learning. We’re learning how to become more efficient, learning how to become more understanding of when to attack and how to attack and what that exactly looks like and how to develop that resiliency.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 20-16 (5-13 Big Ten; 11th in conference), lost to Saint Louis in WNIT championship game

Incoming transfers: 

• Taylor Woodson (Michigan, 6′, F, So. – 1.9 ppg)
• Annika Stewart (Nebraska, 6’3, F, Gr. – 3.8 ppg)
• Alexsia Rose (UMass, 5’7, G, Gr. – 11.4 ppg, 3.4 apg)
• Jordan Brooks (Cal State Bakersfield, 6’3, C, Sr. – 0.3 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• McKynnlie Dalan (Gonzaga, 6’1, F, So. – 0.3 ppg)
• Ajok Madol (Dayton, 6’2, G, So. – 2.1 ppg)
• Ayianna Johnson (Colorado, 6’3, F, So. – 3.4 ppg)

Graduates: 

• Aminata Zie (0.3 ppg)
• Janay Sanders (7.3 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Tori McKinney (6’1, G)

Key returners: 

• Amaya Battle (Jr. – 12.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.6 spg)
• Mara Braun (Jr. – 17.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg)
• Mallory Heyer (Jr. – 9.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
• Grace Grocholski (So. – 10.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
• Sophie Hart (Sr. – 10.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Nebraska

While inconsistency may have held the Huskers back from reaching their full potential last season, their unexpected run to the Big Ten Tournament title game catapulted them to a No. 6 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. 

Although Nebraska loses Jaz Shelley, last year’s second-leading scorer, head coach Amy Williams still returns four of her top five scorers from last season. Centered around senior Alexis Markowski, the Huskers will look to be able to compete against the top of the conference once again.

“Our program took some steps really forward, convincing ourselves that when we’re playing our best, we can compete and beat anybody in the country,” Williams told Big Ten Network at media day. “Now [we’re] really striving for consistency as we move into this year and being able to play at that level on a consistent basis. That’s what it’s going to take. You can’t lollygag in this league. 

“The way that this 18-team conference is going to map itself out is so competitive, and so for our progress as a program and continuing to raise and elevate the bar, we’ve just gotta continue to have consistent performance. You can’t stub your toe; every night, it’s going to be a battle.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 23-12 (11-7 Big Ten; fifth in conference), lost to Oregon State in second round of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Alberte Rimdal (Florida, 5’9, G, Sr. – 7.2 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Annika Stewart (Minnesota, 6’3, F, Gr. – 3.8 ppg)

Graduates: 

• Darian White (6.6 ppg, 2.4 apg)
• Jaz Shelley (13.4 ppg, 5.7 apg, 1.6 spg)
• Maddie Krull (2.0 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Kennadi Williams (5’4, G)
• Britt Prince (5’11, G)
• Amiah Hargrove (6’2, G/F)
• Petra Bozan (6’3, F/C)

Key returners: 

• Logan Nissley (So. – 7.0 ppg)
• Natalie Potts (So. – 10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) 
• Callin Hake (Jr. – 6.1 ppg)
• Alexis Markowski (Sr. – 15.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg)

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Northwestern

After back-to-back 9-21 seasons, head coach Joe McKeown did something he’s never done before: He added multiple players through the transfer portal. Now over four years removed from the program’s last Big Ten regular-season championship, McKeown’s counting on three transfers (Kyla Jones, Grace Sullivan and Taylor Williams) complementing returning talent like junior Caroline Lau and senior Melannie Daley to return the Wildcats to the postseason conversation. 

“The biggest thing is some of the players that have come in now, they have this fresh outlook and they’re talented like, ‘Wow, we couldn’t do that last year. We couldn’t guard that like that,’” McKeown told The Next. “Those types of things, little things that I think will make a big difference for us. It’s a fun group. We’re enjoying practice; we’re enjoying commitment to each other.”

For McKeown, who’s entering his 17th year in Evanston and his 38th as a college head coach, he’s seen the sport’s rapid change over the last few years. And while the way he’s had to build his program is different than in the past, the core of what he wants to do hasn’t changed, he said.

“The biggest thing is you have, no matter what, foundations that help you to be successful,” he said. “… You have unselfish players, hard-working players, high IQ, high core values and of course at Northwestern, you gotta go to class. You’re being challenged in a lot of different ways. The kids that fit Northwestern today are the same level that when we won our Big Ten championships or we got to the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16. The values are the same. The names change.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 9-21 (4-14 Big Ten; 13th in conference), no postseason

Incoming transfers: 

• Taylor Williams (Michigan, 6’2, F, Gr. – 4.3 ppg) 
• Kyla Jones (Brown, 5’9, G, Gr. – 17.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
• Grace Sullivan (Bucknell, 6’4, F, Jr. – 8.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Alana Goodchild (Santa Clara, 6’2, F, Jr. – 1.7 ppg)
• Paige Mott (George Washington, 6’1, F, Gr. – 8.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Graduates: 

• Maggie Pina (5.6 ppg, 42.1% 3-point)
• Jasmine McWilliams (2.0 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Xamiya Walton (5’7, G)
• Claire Keswick (6’, G)
• Kat Righeimer (6’1, G/F)
• Tayla Thomas (6’3, F)

Key returners: 

• Caroline Lau (Jr. – 7.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.2 rpg)
• Melannie Daley (Sr. – 13.3 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg)
• Caileigh Walsh (Sr. – 13.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 bpg)
• Casey Harter (So. – 5.3 ppg, 2.3 apg)
• Hailey Weaver (Sr. – 7.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Ohio State

When head coach Kevin McGuff looked back at games when his Buckeyes came up on the short end last year, two themes emerged: poor 3-point shooting and poor rebounding. So this offseason, he added Chance Gray from Oregon, who ranked in the 94th percentile in 3-pointers made per game, and Ajae Petty from Kentucky, who averaged 14.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

“Instead of coming up with some new drills to get better,” McGuff told Big Ten Network, “I figure let’s go get somebody that can go get the ball, and Ajae will do that.”

The 2023-24 season was one of immense promise but also major disappointment for Ohio State. After winning the Big Ten regular-season title outright, the Buckeyes were upset by Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament and then by Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Despite losing leading scorer Jacy Sheldon, McGuff has built another steady, deep team that should compete at the top of the conference once again. A potential under-the-radar contributor: Madison Greene, who missed all of 2021-22 with a knee injury, missed most of the 2022-23 season with a second knee injury, and averaged just 12.1 minutes per game last season.

“It’s been really fun to watch her and just her perseverance and just how hard she’s worked to get back,” McGuff said. “She has such a great presence within our program on and off the court, and if you really watch us play, she’s a great defender, and one thing that she does better than anybody on our team right now, she makes everybody around her better, so we’re really excited to have her back.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 26-6 (16-2 Big Ten; first in conference), lost to Duke in second round of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Chance Gray (Oregon, 5’9, G, Jr. – 13.9 ppg, 3.0 apg)
• Ajae Petty (Kentucky, 6’3, F, Gr. – 14.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Diana Collins (Alabama, 5’9, G, So. – 3.0 ppg)
• Emma Shumate (Michigan State, 6’1, G, Jr. – 4.0 ppg)
• Rikki Harris (Dayton, 5’10, G, Gr. – 4.4 ppg)

Graduates: 

• Jacy Sheldon (17.9 ppg, 3.8 apg, 1.9 spg)
• Celeste Taylor (10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 spg)
• Taiyier Parks (2.8 ppg)
• Karla Vres (0.8 ppg)
• Rebeka Mikulasikova (9.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 40.6% 3-point)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Ava Watson (5’8, G)
• Elsa Lemmilä (6’6, C)
• Ella Hobbs (6’4, F)
• Seini Henry (6’, F)
• Jaloni Cambridge (5’7, F)

Key returners: 

• Cotie McMahon (Jr. – 14.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.2 apg)
• Taylor Thierry (Sr. – 11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 spg)
• Madison Greene (Gr. – 2.5 ppg)
• Eboni Walker (Gr. – 2.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Oregon

Oregon’s 11-21 finish last season was a major downturn for a program that had won at least 19 games in the eight previous full seasons (and 15 in the shortened 2020-21 season) under head coach Kelly Graves. But Oregon completely overhauled its roster this offseason, adding seven transfers, while losing five. 

All in all, Graves likes how his team is positioned entering its first year in the Big Ten.

“You would always rather coach a team for three or four years and they learn your system, they learn what works, what doesn’t, they learn how to play together. But this day and age is just different, and it’s something that I was a little bit slow to embrace, quite frankly,” Graves told Big Ten Network. “This is the first year that we’ve really gone into the portal actively, and boy, did it produce dividends. We’ve got some really, really good players, especially the guard line. 

“The better teams are veteran, and we went out and we got fourth- and fifth-year guards, and I think that’s going to really make a difference. At times I’m not easy to play for because we run a lot of stuff. … It’s a pro system, so the more experience that they have and they come in with, the better off they are.”

Headlining the newcomers is UNC transfer Deja Kelly, who averaged 16.3 points per game last season. Phillipina Kyei, who averaged 12.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last year, also figures to be key to the new-look Ducks in 2024-25.

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 11-21 (2-16 Pac-12; 12th in conference), no postseason

Incoming transfers: 

• Deja Kelly (North Carolina, 5’8, G, Gr. – 16.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.2 apg)
• Nani Falatea (BYU, 5’9, G, R-Jr. – 15.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg in 2022-23)
• Amina Muhammad (Texas, 6’4, F, Jr. – 6.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
• Salimatou Kourouma (Arizona, 5’11, G, Gr. – 9.5 ppg)
• Ari Long (Washington, 6′, G, So. – 4.2 ppg)
• Alexis Whitfield (UC Santa Barbara, 6’2, F, Gr. – 15.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg)
• Elisa Mevius (Siena, 5’10, G, Jr. – 12 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.1 apg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Priscilla Williams (Jacksonville, 6’2, G, Jr. – 2.3 ppg)
• Kennedy Basham (Arizona State, 6’7, F, Jr. – 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
• Chance Gray (Ohio State, 5’9, G, Jr. – 13.9 ppg, 3.0 apg) 
• Grace VanSlooten (Michigan State, 6’3, F, Jr. – 15 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.6 apg)
• Ula Chamberlin (5’8, G, Grad. – 2.7 ppg)

Graduates: 

• Kennedi Williams (1.8 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Katie Fiso (5’11, G)
• Ehis Etute (6’, F)

Key returners: 

• Phillipina Kyei (Sr. – 12.6 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
• Sofia Bell (So. – 7.0 ppg, 1.8 apg)

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Penn State

Penn State head coach Carolyn Kieger was aggressive heading into the 2023-24 season, adding three transfers to go along with a promising trio of Makenna Marisa, Shay Ciezki and Leilani Kapinus. And while it led to a 22-win season — the Lady Lions’ most since 2016-17 — the team missed the NCAA Tournament, lost its top six scorers and now has nine new players (five freshmen and four transfers).

That level of turnover, though, hasn’t deterred Kieger from talking about getting back to the NCAA Tournament.

“To be an NCAA Tournament team, we gotta be tougher. And we gotta realize that every game matters, whether it’s in November or it’s in January. Every score, every quarter, every fourth quarter specifically could be the difference maker of you getting in the tournament and you staying out of it,” she told Big Ten Network.

One reason Kieger thinks her Lady Lions will find success this season: Bellarmine transfer Gracie Merkle, who didn’t play last season but averaged 15.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game during her freshman campaign in 2022-23.

“She is going to shock the country,” Kieger said. “Phenomenal hands. She led the country two years ago in field goal percentage. She’s done a phenomenal job this past season when she wasn’t able to play to just really work on herself and get her body ready for the rigors of the Big Ten. She’s had a phenomenal summer. She has the best hands that I’ve ever coached [for] a post player, and she’s eager, and I think these young women are learning how to play with her, learning how to pass to her. Going to be a dangerous high-low game.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 22-13 (9-9 Big Ten; seventh in conference), lost to Villanova in WBIT semifinals

Incoming transfers: 

• Gracie Merkle (Bellarmine, 6’6, C, R-So. – 15.1 ppg, 11 rpg in 2022-23)
• Gabby Elliott (Michigan State, 5’10, G, Gr. – 7.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
• Tamera Johnson (Louisiana, 5’11, F, Gr. – 10.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
• Vitoria Santana (Eastern Arizona, 5’8, Jr. – 15.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Ali Brigham (Bryant, 6’4, F, Gr. – 8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
• Shay Ciezki (Indiana, 5’7, G, Jr. – 11.5 ppg)
• Leilani Kapinus (Vanderbilt, 5’10, G, Gr. – 11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
• Kylie Lavelle (St. John’s, 6’2, F, Jr. – 3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Graduates: 

• Tay Valladay (11.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 52.6% 3-point)
• Chanaya Pinto (5.3 ppg)
• Makenna Marisa (13.4 ppg, 2.6 apg, 40.3% 3-point)
• Ashley Owusu (17.7 ppg, 3.6 apg, 5.5 rpg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Cam Rust (6’1, F)
• Shaelyn Steele (5’6, G)
• Ariana Williams (6’2, F)
• Talayah Walker (5’10, G)

Key returners: 

• Jayla Oden (Sr. – 5.6 ppg)

Purdue

Competing in arguably the deepest conference in the country, it’ll be an uphill battle for a young Boilermakers team in 2024-25. But head coach Katie Gearlds is fully aware of the challenges ahead. 

Purdue lost its top four scorers from last season, including Mary Ashley Stevenson, who transferred to Stanford after her first season in West Lafayette. Still, with experienced transfers coming in and a core of young returners, Gearlds hopes to keep moving in the right direction after a WNIT berth last season.

“Let’s just get out there and compete as hard as we can, give ourselves a chance to win, just go be us, and if we can do that, we might find ourselves in a dog fight in the fourth quarter,” Gearlds told The Next.

Among the returning players, the growth of the four sophomores (Rashunda Jones, Sophie Swanson, McKenna Layden and Emily Monson) will likely determine how far this team goes.

“They got the experience last year; obviously, we didn’t win as many games as we wanted to or didn’t go the way we wanted to, but the experience is there,” Gearlds said. “I think all of them were kind of fueled by that this summer of, ‘We want to get better, and how do we do it?’ I think going to Europe this summer was really good for us. It allowed us to practice a little bit more in the summer and see ourselves against some other people over there.

“I think we’ve just got a hungry group — people who got a taste of it and got our ass kicked at the same time, but a taste to maybe try to flip the script a little bit.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 15-19 (5-13 Big Ten; 12th in conference), lost to Vermont in WNIT quarterfinals

Incoming transfers: 

• Mahri Petree (UTEP, 5’11, G, sixth-year – 8.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
• Reagan Bass (Akron, 6’1, F, Sr. – 16.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg)
• Destini Lombard (Stephen F. Austin, 5’9, G, fifth-year – 10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg)
• Ella Collier (Marian, 6’, G, fifth-year – 19.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.7 spg)

Outgoing transfers:

• Emily Monson (MTSU, 6’1, G, So. – 0.6 ppg)
• Mary Ashley Stevenson (Stanford, 6’2, F, So. – 9.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Graduates: 

• Jeanae Terry (5.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 5.9 apg, 2.0 spg)
• Abbey Ellis (14.4 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 spg)
• Madison Layden (9.8 ppg, 1.8 apg)
• Caitlyn Harper (11.6 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Jordyn Poole (5’7, G)
• Kendall Puryear (6’3, F)
• Lana McCarthy (6’4, F)

Key returners: 

• Rashunda Jones (So. – 7.8 ppg, 1.7 apg)
• Sophie Swanson (So. – 7.1 ppg)

Rutgers

Like Purdue, Coquese Washington’s Scarlet Knights might struggle to compete against the top teams in the conference, but the focus in Piscataway remains on progress.

After losing Kaylene Smikle — the team’s leading scorer each of the last two years — to the portal, it’ll be up to a returning trio of Destiny Adams, Mya Petticord and Chyna Cornwell to guide the way. 

“Expectations are simple: We just want to get better throughout the season,” Washington told Big Ten Network. “We’ve got four new players. We’ve got a lot of returners who are getting better, and so we just want to continue to grow, get better and connect as a team so that what we’re doing shows out on the court.”

Building that connection, Washington continued, will be key to the group’s success.

“It’s chemistry, it’s caring for each other, it’s building strong bonds and buying into, ‘We’re gonna grow this thing together,’” she said. “And that’s one of the things that we talked about and that they talk about in the locker room all the time, that we want to grow this thing together. And so we’re gonna stick it out, we’re gonna work on getting better, we’re gonna fight through when it’s hard. With the returning players, I think that’s an element of continuing to move the needle and doing it together.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 8-24 (2-16 Big Ten; 14th in conference), no postseason

Incoming transfers: 

• JoJo Lacey (Boston College, 6’1, G, Gr. – 8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
• Janae Walker (Kentucky, 6’4, F, So. – 0.9 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Erica Lafayette (UL Lafayette, 6′, G, Gr. – 3.4 ppg)
• Jillian Huerter (Fairfield, 6′, G, So. – 6.9 ppg)
• Kaylene Smikle (Maryland, 6′, G, Jr. – 16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg) 

Graduates: 

• Kassondra Brown (8.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Zachara Perkins (6’3, F)
• Kiyomi McMiller (5’8, G)

Key returners: 

• Destiny Adams (Sr. – 15.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.6 spg)
• Mya Petticord (Jr. – 10.2 ppg, 2.2 apg)
• Chyna Cornwell (Gr. – 7.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg)

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UCLA

Not too many programs have the luxury of not only returning four players who averaged at least 10 points per game last season, but also bringing in three transfers who did the same. In UCLA’s inaugural Big Ten season, head coach Cori Close hopes that depth of scoring will propel the Bruins to the top of the conference.

Headlined by Kiki Rice and Lauren Betts, UCLA should see valuable contributions from returners Londynn Jones, Gabriela Jaquez and Angela Dugalić, along with transfers Timea Gardiner, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Janiah Barker. And don’t forget about the Bruins’ four-player recruiting class that includes three five-star recruits.

While the pieces are in place for a successful season, Close told Big Ten Network that she’s redirecting her players to hone in on the process.

“I want our players to be obsessed with excellent process. I want us to be obsessed by being great teammates and having intentional growth every day,” Close said. “I have phenomenal players. We have a great, talented roster. How we come together to do something bigger together than we can do individually and then having a championship process and habits will really be our key.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 27-7 (13-5 Pac-12; third in conference), lost to LSU in Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Timea Gardiner (Oregon State, 6’3, F, Jr. – 11.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
• Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State, 5’10, G, Gr. – 13.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.1 apg)
• Janiah Barker (Texas A&M, 6’4, F, Jr. – 12.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Christeen Iwuala (Mississippi, 6’2, F, Jr. – 3.7 ppg) 

Graduates: 

• Emily Bessoir (6.0 ppg in one game)
• Charisma Osborne (13.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.6 spg) 
• Camryn Brown (1.7 ppg)
• Izzy Anstey (0.6 ppg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Avary Cain (6’1, G)
• Zania Socka-Nguemen (6’3, F)
• Elina Aarnisalo (5’10, G)
• Kendall Dudley (6’2, F)

Key returners: 

• Kiki Rice (Jr. – 13.2 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.7 rpg)
• Lauren Betts (Jr. – 14.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.0 bpg)
• Londynn Jones (Jr. – 11.8 ppg, 1.9 apg)
• Gabriela Jaquez (Jr. – 10.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
• Angela Dugalić (Gr. – 8.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.1 apg)

USC

Like UCLA, the Trojans enter the Big Ten with a giant target on their backs. Having the best player in the country, a top recruiting class and two key transfers joining the roster will put USC in a strong position to build on its Elite Eight run from last season.

“I think all of us, the moment that that Elite Eight game ended … as much gratitude as we had for what we were able to accomplish, from that moment, the bar had been raised,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb told Big Ten Network. “We haven’t shied away from expectations. I think it’s something we embrace. I think we have the maturity of players to still bring joy and competition every day on a day-to-day [basis] but have this big goal of, we want to win a national championship, and we’re not afraid of that expectation.”

JuJu Watkins, who last season broke the national record for scoring by a freshman and set the USC record (for both men’s and women’s basketball) by scoring 30 points or more in 14 games, will be must-watch TV every game as she leads the Trojans against some new foes this season. 

“I’m so grateful to coach her and to see the things that happen when the lights aren’t on,” Gottlieb said. “And a lot of that is who she is as a person. There was so much great last year, but that doesn’t come without some struggle, the amount of weight that she carried on her shoulders. And so for me, if I can just create an environment where she gets to show up as herself and step into her greatness … then I’ve done my job.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 29-6 (13-5 Pac-12; second in conference), lost to UConn in Elite Eight of NCAA Tournament

Incoming transfers: 

• Talia von Oelhoffen (Oregon State, 5’11, G, Gr. – 10.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.0 apg)
• Kiki Iriafen (Stanford, 6’3, F, Gr. – 19.4 ppg, 11 rpg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Kayla Williams (Cal, 5’7, G, Gr. – 2.6 ppg)
• Koi Love (UT Arlington, 6′, F, fifth-year – 2.8 ppg in 2022-23)
• Taylor Bigby (TCU, 6’1, G, R-Jr. – 4.8 ppg)
• Roxane Makolo (Georgia, 5’10, G, fifth-year – 5.8 ppg)

Graduates: 

• India Otto (1.1 ppg)
• Kaitlyn Davis (6.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 apg)
• McKenzie Forbes (14.3 ppg, 3.3 apg)
• Kayla Padilla (7.8 ppg, 42.8% 3-point)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Vivian Iwuchukwu (6’3, F)
• Rian Forestier (5’11, G)
• Laura Williams (6’1, F)
• Kayleigh Heckel (5’9, G)
• Kennedy Smith (6’1, G)
• Avery Howell (6’, G)
• Brooklyn Shamblin (5’9, G)

Key returners: 

• JuJu Watkins (So. – 27.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.3 spg, 1.6 bpg)
• Rayah Marshall (Sr. – 10.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg)

Washington

The Huskies might not immediately come to mind when thinking of the Big Ten’s newest additions, but they’ve seen progress over the last two years under head coach Tina Langley.

With a 16-15 campaign last season, Washington put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2015-17. And with four key contributors from that team returning, along with two experienced transfers coming on board, Langley hopes her group continues to develop.

“We have incredible players coming back,” she told Big Ten Network. “The year that we had, it was so fun to see us have that recommitment this summer from these student-athletes to the culture, to the University of Washington, the way they have worked, the way they have led … the way they have come in every day with a commitment for excellence. We call it competitive stamina, and every day they walk onto the floor ready to compete.”

If Washington finds success this season, its defense will likely be a reason why. The Huskies have held opponents below 60 points per game the last two years, and the team’s defensive rating over that span has ranked in the top quarter nationally, according to Her Hoop Stats. 

“We understand the physicality that it takes to be great,” Langley said. “We understand the schemes. They prepare incredibly well, the way they study styles of play. So I think it’s a collective commitment from our group to work together and battle together.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 16-15 (6-12 Pac-12; 10th in conference), lost to Georgetown in first round of WBIT

Incoming transfers: 

• Brenna McDonald (Yale, 6’3, F, Gr. – 8.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
• Tayra Eke (Eastern Michigan, 6’3, C, Sr. – 9.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Jayda Noble (Cal, 5’11, G, Gr. – 3.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
• Ari Long (Oregon, 6′, G, So. – 4.2 ppg)

Graduates: 

• Lauren Schwartz (11.8 ppg, 2.2 apg)
• Nia Lowery (1.0 ppg in one game)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Devin Coppinger (5’10, G)

Key returners: 

• Hannah Stines (Jr. – 9.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.5 apg)
• Elle Ladine (Jr. – 11.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
• Dalayah Daniels (Sr. – 11.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg)
• Sayvia Sellers (So. – 8.5 ppg, 2.2 apg)

Wisconsin

The Badgers have improved in each of the first three seasons under head coach Marisa Moseley, from 9-21 in 2021-22, to 11-20 in 2022-23, to 15-17 and a WNIT quarterfinal appearance last year.

Entering this season, Moseley will continue to build around junior Serah Williams, a double-double machine who set the conference record with 17 straight last year. Ronnie Porter showed significant growth at the guard position, and incoming Northern Kentucky transfer Carter McCray, who averaged a double-double last season, could make it harder for opponents to focus solely on Williams in the post. 

“I think the progress so far has just been trying to do it brick by brick,” Moseley told Big Ten Network. “Each year, we knew that we wanted to take a step forward; we wanted to continue to have an upward trajectory. By the end of the year, we wanted to be playing our best basketball, and we were able to do that, and obviously continue to recruit good players so that we could build a sustainable roster and win. 

“Going into this year, just really grateful for these young women who have stuck with us in this very transient world that we live in, but knowing that we’re building something really special, and in order to do that, we needed to have a strong foundation.”

Notes to know:

2023-24 season summary: 15-17 (6-12 Big Ten; 10th in conference), lost to Saint Louis in WNIT quarterfinals

Incoming transfers: 

• Tess Myers (Duquesne, 5’9, G, Gr. – 7.9 ppg)
• Carter McCray (Northern Kentucky, 6’1, C, So. – 15.7 ppg, 11.2 ppg)

Outgoing transfers: 

• Tessa Towers (Ball State, 6’5, C, Jr. – 0 ppg in one game)
• Imbie Jones (Nevada, 6’1, F, So. – 0.2 ppg)
• Sacia Vanderpool (North Dakota State, 6’4, F, Sr. – 0.7 ppg)
• Ana Guillen (Yale, 6′, F, So. – 1.1 ppg)
• Sania Copeland (Kansas, 5’7, G, Jr. – 7.3 ppg)

Graduates: 

• Brooke Schramek (7.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 apg)

Incoming freshmen: 

• Alie Bisballe (6’4, F)
• Alba Martín Mesa (5’6, G)
• Jovana Spasovski (6’, W)
• Reese Jaramillo (5’8, G)
• Gracie Grzesk (5’11, F)

Key returners: 

• Serah Williams (Jr. – 17.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 2.8 bpg)
• Ronnie Porter (Jr. – 10.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.9 spg)
• Natalie Leuzinger (Gr. – 7.7 ppg, 1.6 apg)
• D’Yanis Jimenez (So. – 6.9 ppg)