In my final Big Ten breakdownjust three weeks ago there were seven teams that looked like they could win the conference title. Ohio When Indiana Looked like a meeting favorite. Iowa, MarylandWhen Michigan I was in the next tier of a team that could still win but seemed to have noticeable flaws. Illinois When Nebraska It was in the third tier worth watching, but was the least likely to actually win the title.
All things considered, that assessment went pretty well. Having reached the halfway point of the season, six of those seven teams are still in contention for the conference title. The only exception is Nebraska. Injuries and a grueling schedule to start conference play have plagued the Huskers, who sit just 4-5th in the Big Ten. They still have enough talent to challenge the other six top teams, but their chances of winning the conference are so slim at this point that I won’t analyze them further.
Let’s take a look at the other 6 teams.
No. 2 Ohio—19-1 overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Games remaining in the Top 6 (5): in Indiana. in Maryland. against Indiana. in Michigan.vs Maryland
Ohio is really missing Jaycee SheldonIowa’s Triangle and Two were very effective against the Buckeyes as they only had two notable shooters. Taylor Mikesell When Rebeka Mikrashikova. Coty McMahon When Taylor Thierry They performed well in the Iowa game, but lacked enough offensive power unless the top two scorers contributed.
When Sheldon returns she will add a third good shooter to the mix and Ohio State will be even more dangerous. I see you trying. They never really settled for him in the third quarter against Iowa.
The rest of Ohio’s schedule is also pretty challenging with three big road trips left. With Sheldon back soon, they’ll still be in contention for the Big Ten title, but if she’s out for a few weeks, I’m not sure Ohio State will be good enough to win it.
#6 Indiana — 18-1 Overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Games remaining in the Top 6 (5): Against Ohio. against Iowa. Ohio; vs. Michigan.in iowa
Grace Burger is back and the timing could not have been better for Indiana State, which has a big matchup against Ohio State on Thursday. The Hoosiers with Berger are an incredibly balanced team. Berger is a veteran scorer as well as one of the team’s primary ball handlers.the team has a lot of shots Sarah Scalia, Sydney ParishWhen Yarden Garzon. and post Mackenzie Holmes He would have been a conference player of the year if it wasn’t for Kaitlyn Clarke.
The rest of Indiana’s schedule is difficult, but manageable. With three of the Hoosiers’ remaining five big games at home, the trip to Ohio doesn’t look as daunting as it did earlier in the week. I’m going to favorite Indiana with Iowa at this point and win the conference at this point.
#10 Iowa—16-4 Overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Top 6 games remaining (4): against Maryland. in Indiana. in Maryland.vs Indiana
In the last update, Iowa thought they were left with the toughest schedule of all the top teams, with four big road games against the best teams in the conference. So far, Iowa is 2-0 with wins over Michigan and Ohio State. Right now, Iowa’s schedule for the rest of the season is arguably the easiest of all the top teams.We have road trips to Maryland and Indiana, but we’ll be playing both at home as well.
Beyond the top six, Iowa still has two games left against Nebraska. The Huskers’ struggles will give Iowa an advantage in both, but Iowa is also a big favorite at Michigan State and was lucky to get a win over East Lansing.
Overall, I’m bullish about Iowa’s future potential. Kaitlyn Clark Somehow it’s still getting better. Monica Chinano We’re back in shape (but really need to avoid foul trouble). Hannah Stelke Emerging as the next great Iowa player. And the rest of Iowa’s teams are finding that role.
My biggest concerns right now are two. McKenna Warnockand 2) Can Coaches put Stürke, Warnock and Chinano in the same lineup?
Iowa beat Ohio State by one at bat last night, but Warnock’s shot is important to ensure Iowa has enough space offensively. She also often guards other teams’ star forwards in Iowa’s player defense and is one of Iowa’s better rebounders. Iowa needs a healthy Warnock back to reach her full potential.
For 2, it became clear that Stuelke needed more than 20 minutes per game. Her rebounding and athleticism were what made the difference in the Ohio State game and continued for the rest of the season. It worked. I think the coach needs to have Stuelke, Warnock and Czinano on the floor at the same time for at least a few minutes each game.
#10 Maryland — 16-4 overall, 7-2 in the Big Ten
Top 6 games remaining (6): against Michigan. in Iowa. Against Ohio. against Illinois. against Iowa.in ohio
I’m still not quite sure what to do with Maryland. The Terrapins’ offense is still very good, but down from the levels of the past few seasons. Its defense hasn’t improved much either, and remains a major weakness overall.
then what do i see angel wreath attended LSU this year (admittedly with a very light schedule), but I suspect that something about the Maryland system, coaching, teams, etc. might have held her back.
Maryland’s results are also puzzling.They have one of the best wins in the country this year, beating 7th place Notre Damee South Bend, followed by a 23-point loss to a disappointing Nebraska team. They scored 94 points at home against Michigan State, followed by a 61-point loss to Indiana State.
Looking at the rest of Maryland’s schedule, it has more top-six matches than any other top-six team left. That said, four of those six games will be at home, so the Terps have plenty of chances to shake up the conference standings with a big win.
Overall, I don’t think Terps have much chance of winning the conference. They already have him one game behind three very good teams, with the toughest part of their schedule ahead of them. But it can also do a lot of damage when rolling.
#13 Michigan—16-4 overall, 6-3 in Big 10
Top 6 games remaining (4): in Maryland. against Illinois. in Indiana.vs Ohio
Frankly, I don’t think Michigan has much chance of winning the conference. They played once each in Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio, and he lost all three of them (two of them at home) by nine points. Michigan certainly looks talented, but they are a step below the top teams in the conference.
Another problem for the Wolverines is that the conference champions may lose three times or less. If that’s true, the Wolverines have to move the tables to get their share of the title, and even if that number is optimistic, I’m pretty sure the conference champion won’t lose more than his four times. increase. That means Michigan can only drop one more game. The rest of Michigan’s schedule is easier for the top teams, but the Wolverines are digging a pretty deep hole.
#22 Illinois—16-4 Overall, 6-3 Big Ten
Top 6 remaining games (2): in Michigan.Maryland
I don’t think Illinois has much chance of winning a conference title for many of the same reasons as Michigan. For Illini to get a share of the conference title, he’ll need to run the table or, at most, lose once. They’re certainly a talented team, but I don’t think it’s particularly likely.
The rest of Illinois’ schedule is noticeably easier than the other top teams, with one caveat. His two remaining matches with the Top 6 are underway. Both of these games can be predicted as losing before they are even played. Illinois also doesn’t have the chance to impact the conference race by beating a top team at home.
