The Big Ten looks a little different ahead of the 2025-26 season following several high-profile offseason transfers, WNBA draft picks and incoming freshmen.
Between UCLA sister tandem Lauren and Sienna Betts, Kiyomi McMiller’s departure from Rutgers to Penn State and JuJu Watkins’ ACL tear during the second round of the NCAA Tournament, here’s how I rank this year’s Big Ten squads just over a month from the start of the season.
Juggernauts – UCLA, Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State
UCLA came out victorious in last year’s Big Ten championship and is just as likely to repeat this year.
While retaining their two highest scorers in Lauren and Kiki Rice, the Bruins also added Utah’s Gianna Kneepkens and can expect a return from injury for Charlisse Leger-Walker — two 15-plus point scorers — in addition to Sienna, the No. 2 athlete in the Class of 2025.
Michigan State only recorded an 11-7 Big Ten record last year, but has room for improvements with Arizona State transfer Jalyn Brown, who averaged 18 points per game last season. All-Big Ten Second Team stars Grace VanSlooten and Theryn Hallock also return this year.
The Lady Lions kept Gracie Merkle away from Maryland, but the Terrapins still acquired All-Big Ten Second Teamer Yarden Garzon, who can fill the void left by Shyanne Sellers and Sarah Te-Biasu.
Center Gracie Merkle (44) lays up a shot off a rebound against Maryland, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Rec Hall in University Park, Pa. The Terrapins beat the Nittany Lions 82-73.
Luke Kupstas
Even though Ohio State fell to the blue and white last season, it will remain a Big Ten powerhouse behind returners Chance Gray and Jaloni Cambridge.
The duo scored a combined 27.4 points per game last year and will be joined by Boston College transfer T’yana Todd, who averaged 13.7 points.
Contenders – Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Penn State
Despite finishing below .500 in the Big Ten last year, Minnesota has one of the strongest teams this year between its starting five and reserves.
The Golden Gophers have 10 players who recorded over six points per game last year and four who averaged double digits, including Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Tori McKinney and Grace Grocholski.
Illinois is in a similar position as Minnesota with a strong bench, mainly credited to a big recruiting class.
In addition to Villanova guard Maddie Webber transferring to the Fighting Illini, they also picked up commitments from the three top-50 athletes and the No. 96 athlete in the Class of 2025.
Michigan enters this year with one of the best trios in the Big Ten. Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Bucknell transfer Ashley Sofilkanich all averaged over 15 points per game last year.
In addition to those three, the Wolverines have three four-star freshmen joining them alongside 2024-25 Big Ten honoree Mila Holloway.
The Lady Lions finished last in the Big Ten last season, but can make a big jump as a result of some offseason acquisitions.
The biggest move was the transfer of McMiller from Rutgers, who averaged 18.7 points last season.
The blue and white also retained double-digit scorers Moriah Murray and Merkle, who had both entered the transfer portal but ultimately withdrew.
Guard Moriah Murray (3) puts up a 3 at the Penn State women’s basketball game against Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2024 in the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. The Huskies beat Lady Lions the 82-71.
Luke Kupstas
Needs work – Wisconsin, Purdue, Washington, USC, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana
While eight teams are in a strong position entering this season, seven teams need some work before they’re recognized as true contenders.
Wisconsin looks good on paper with lots of high scorers like Howard’s Destiny Howell and Stony Brooke’s Breauna Ware. However, none of its four highest scorers played for the Badgers last year and will all be developing new chemistry this season.
Purdue is in a similar situation following the acquisition of several top scorers. Despite having no athlete average double-digit scoring last year, the team now has four. Most played for smaller Group of Five schools and will have to develop that Big Ten intensity.
In its second season in the Big Ten, Washington returns high scorers Elle Ladine and Sayvia Sellers this year, who combined for 32.3 points per game. The Huskies also have the No. 14 athlete in the Class of 2025 in Brynn McGaughy.
The biggest shocker of the rankings is probably USC, who reached the Big Ten championship last year but may struggle this year.
The Trojans lost Kiki Iriafen to the WNBA and JuJu Watkins to an ACL tear. However, former Georgia Tech transfer Kara Dunn and Jasmine Davidson, the No. 1 athlete in the Class of 2025, will have to build some chemistry to help bring USC back to power.
Nebraska enters the upcoming season with a high-scoring trio, including Big Ten All-Freshman team honoree Britt Prince. However, it has many new faces, including Samford’s Claire Johnson and Northwestern’s Hailey Weaver who will need some time to adjust.
In the years after the Caitlin Clark era, Iowa has been a mid-level team led by All-Big Ten second-team honoree Hannah Stuelke. The team also added UCF transfer Emely Rodriguez, but needs to add some more names and a strong leader.
Former Lady Lion Shay Ciezki returns to Indiana as the highest-scoring returner — averaging 11.8 points per game. The Hoosiers also added Duquesne’s Jerni Kiaku, but lost their top scorer to Maryland as well as seven other of last year’s top performers.
Penn State guard Shay Ciezki (4) dribbles the ball during the WBIT quarterfinal game against Mississippi State at the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Lady Lions beat the Bulldogs 92-87.
Tyler Mantz
Better luck next year – Oregon, Rutgers, Northwestern
Without any returning double-digit scorers, Oregon’s biggest name is Fresno State’s Mia Jacobs. The Ducks need a lot of preseason training before they become a force in the Big Ten.
Rutgers is in a difficult situation entering the season after losing McMiller to the blue and white and its next five highest scorers to graduation and the transfer portal.
Northwestern retained many athletes but has only three players who averaged over five points per game last season, leaving them with a lot of work to avoid finishing last.
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