Posts by Eric Rynston-Lobel

Eric Rynston-Lobel has been a contributor to The Next since August 2022. He covered Northwestern women's basketball extensively in his four years as a student there for WNUR, previously worked as a sports reporter for the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire and now works as a freelancer based in Chicago.

Jan Jensen gestures her arms out after a foul was called on Iowa.

Iowa’s struggles, Minnesota’s impressive play among early Big Ten surprises in 2025

January 15, 2025

The post-Caitlin Clark era has hit a brief rough patch

Ali Patberg talks with Chloe Moore-McNeil on the bench.

Teri Moren’s trio of former players on staff helps explain Indiana’s success

January 10, 2025

Warthen: ‘It just makes you want to come back’

Deja Kelly points her finger in the air on the court.

With new players in a new conference, Kelly Graves aims to have Oregon back on track

January 3, 2025

A look at the makings of a turnaround in Eugene

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb talks to her team during a huddle.

Lindsay Gottlieb and Kelly Graves discuss adjusting to life in the Big Ten

January 2, 2025

Graves: ‘This has kind of rejuvenated me in a way’

Grace VanSlooten (right) celebrates with Julia Ayrault after Michigan State's win over Iowa.

Grace VanSlooten pivotal to Michigan State’s best start in program history

December 17, 2024

VanSlooten: ‘It really felt like I was wanted here’

Joe McKeown and Kate Popovec-Goss smile for a photo at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

In her third year of a major rebuild at Bradley, Kate Popovec-Goss reflects on the journey

December 16, 2024

Popovec-Goss: ‘It’s about the process, not outcome’

Grace Sullivan floats up a shot for Northwestern as Cornell's Summer Parker-Hall puts her left hand up to contest it.

Grace Sullivan is among Northwestern’s transfers aiming to help turn things around

December 7, 2024

Sullivan: ‘It’s been really cool to see where our different experiences have brought us’

Kaylene Smikle tries to dribble around Ashlon Jackson.

Maryland’s Brenda Frese likes what she’s seeing so far

November 22, 2024

Off to a 5-0 start, Maryland’s influx of transfers has meshed seamlessly

Syla Swords dribbles for Michigan.

After an offseason of tumult in Ann Arbor, freshman Syla Swords has steadied the ship

November 14, 2024

Michigan’s highest-ranked recruit has already made a major impact

UCLA center Lauren Betts fights for a rebound against USC center Clarice Akunwafo and USC guard JuJu Watkins.

2024-25 Big Ten preview

October 17, 2024

Four new teams, dozens of storylines in the new-look conference