Big Ten 2022 Season Preview
An analysis of each team and comments from coaches from the Big Ten Media Days.
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As the NCAA women’s basketball season nears, the always-competitive Big Ten conference looks to be very exciting again this season. Ohio State Head Coach Kevin McGuff said as much in his opening remarks at the Big Ten Media Days: “The Big Ten . . . is going to be one of the best conferences in the country for women's basketball, with the amount of great players that have returned and the coaching, it will be as competitive as ever. I think one of the most exciting years in history.”
To highlight the quality of the conference, six of the fourteen teams last season had at least 23 wins, with Ohio State and Michigan leading the pack with 25 and only two teams failing to win at least 11 games. Four Big Ten teams – Michigan, Maryland, Ohio State and Indiana – made it to the Sweet 16, tied with the ACC for the most of any conference, and Michigan advanced to the Elite 8.
Coaches and players from each Big Ten team were in Minneapolis on October 11 and 12 for Big Ten Media Days shortly after the Big Ten Preseason Rankings and Honors were announced.
Coaches and media were polled to pick preseason all-conference teams and rank the top 5 teams. Both selected the same ten players and chose Caitlin Clark as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year:
Coaches and Media Preseason All-Big Ten Team:
Grace Berger, Grad., G, Indiana
Mackenzie Holmes, Sr., F, Indiana
Caitlin Clark, Jr., G, Iowa
Monika Czinano, 5th-Yr., F/C, Iowa
Diamond Miller, Sr., G, Maryland
Leigha Brown, 5th-Yr., G, Michigan
Alexis Markowski, So., C/F, Nebraska
Taylor Mikesell, Sr., G, Ohio State
Jacy Sheldon, Sr., G, Ohio State
Makenna Marisa, Sr., G, Penn State
The top five team rankings were slightly different.
Team Outlooks
Iowa Hawkeyes:
Last season: 24-8 Overall, 14-4 Big Ten
The Hawkeyes had a fantastic season last year and as the media and coaches agreed, they are likely to do the same this season,
The Hawkeyes were an offensive juggernaut and tops in the country last season in all the following categories: Points per 100 possessions (111.0), field-goal percentage (50.2%), free-throw percentage (84.6%), 2-point percentage (58.1%), effective field goal percentage (56.2%), points per scoring attempt (1.20), and points per play (1.0).
Head Coach Lisa Bluder agrees with the media and coaches' assessment and summed it up nicely in her opening remarks at the Big Ten Media Day:
“At Iowa, we're coming off an historic year. First time ever in the history of our program that we won both the Big Ten regular season and the Big Ten tournament. We have every reason to have high expectations for this upcoming season.”
One of those reasons is that Iowa returns all five starters, including 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year Caitlin Clark, the nation’s leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, and Monika Czinano one of the top field-goal percentage shooters. Clark was also named to the Nancy Lieberman Award preseason watch list as a top point guard.
“We return, in my opinion, the best point guard in the country,” Bluder said. “Caitlin Clark not only led the United States in points per game, but also led the United States in assists. First time that's ever been done in the history of women's basketball. We also have one of the best centers in the country. When you think of Monika Czinano has led the United States in field-goal percentage shooting at 68% for the last two years, that's an amazing accomplishment.”
Bluder also heaped praise on the Hawkeyes’ other three starters: Gabbie Marshall, Katie Martin, and McKenna Warnock.
“Not only with [Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano], but we have all the people around [them]. We have Gabbie Marshall, who is lethal from 3-point range. We have Kate Martin, who I honestly believe can just contribute in so many areas. She's a great captain, the glue to our team. We have McKenna Warnock at the power four position.
Taking it all together, Bluder expressed excitement for her team’s prospects this season.
“We have experience, offense, a great schedule, and we have a great fan base,” Bluder said. “It's going to be a fun year for the Iowa Hawkeyes!”
The fun has started already as Clark played reporter and asked Bluder a question at Big Ten Media Days:
Ohio State Buckeyes
Last season: 25-7 Overall, 14-4 Big Ten
Ohio State shared the 2022 regular season Big Ten title with Iowa. The Buckeyes were sixth in the nation in 3-point percentage (37.6%) and ranked in the top 15 in a variety of other categories including points per game, effective field goal percentage, points per scoring attempt, and points per play.
“I like our team,” Head Coach Kevin McGuff said. “We had great success last year, a share of the Big Ten title, reaching the Sweet 16, then losing a close game to Texas in the NCAA tournament. With the core of that team back, I'm very optimistic that this year could be another special season for us. We've got great kids. They've worked incredibly hard to this point.”
Key returning players for Ohio State include Taylor Mikesell and Jacy Sheldon who combined to average 38.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.8 steals per game. Mikesell was also named to the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award preseason watch list as a top shooting guard while Sellers was named to the Cheryl Miller Award preseason watch list as a top small forward.
The Buckeyes will be tested early with non-conference games against Tennessee and Louisville.
Michigan Wolverines
Last season: 25-7 Overall, 13-4 Big Ten
Key returning players for the Wolverines are fifth-year players Leigha Brown and Emily Kiser as well as sophomore Laila Phelia. Head Coach Kim Barnes Arico is also very high on Oregon State transfer Greta Kampschroeder. Brown was also named to the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award preseason watch list as a top shooting guard
A key departure is of course Naz Hillmon, whose 21 points per game accounted for over 29% of Michigan’s 71.5 total points per game.
“Our team will be different this year, but excited for the challenges that lay ahead,” Barnes Arico said. “I think we led the country last year in points scored through the post. I think that's what makes it exciting for a coach and for the players in our program to play differently than we have in the past.”
Indiana Hoosiers
Last season: 24-9 Overall, 11-5 Big Ten
The Hoosiers won at least 21 games for the eighth time in the last nine years. Last season, the five starters each averaged at least 11.6 points per game, but only Grace Berger and Mackenzie Holmes return from that group. Berger (16.2) and Holmes (15.2) were the leading scorers and accounted for 44% of the Hoosiers’ 71.3 total points per game. They added Sara Scalia, a senior transfer from Minnesota who averaged 17.9 points per game last season and shot 41.3% from 3-point range. Scalia was also named to the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award preseason watch list as a top shooting guard, and Berger was named to the Cheryl Miller Award preseason watch list as a top small forward.
“Even though we have great players like Mackenzie Holmes and Grace Berger and Ali Patberg that have been in our program, they've always been able to set aside their egos to be just about the team,” Head Coach Teri Moren said “We have a tremendous amount of success with the kids we currently have in our program, but we've also been able to attract kids that are attracted to coming in and being about the team concept. It's more about ‘We’ than ‘Me’. If you believe that, then Indiana is a great place for you.”
Key games that Indiana has scheduled during its non-conference slate come against Tennessee and North Carolina.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last season: 24-9 Overall, 11-7 Big Ten
Nebraska made a huge jump going from a 13-13 record in 2020-21 to 24-9 last season. The Cornhuskers scored over 8 points more per game and gave up nearly 6 fewer points per game.
Key returnees are 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Alexis Markowski, Isabelle Bourne, and Jaz Shelley. Markowski was the only sophomore named to the preseason All-Big Ten Team and Shelley was also named to the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award preseason watch list as a top shooting guard. The three combined to average 37 points per game last season - nearly 48% of the 77.8 total points per game for the team.
The Cornhuskers were dealt a blow when it was announced in September that Sam Haiby will miss the entire season due to a leg injury. Haiby averaged 11 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season.
“We are obviously disappointed that Sammi will not be on the court with us this season, but she remains a critical member of our team,” Head Coach Amy Williams said. “We will continue to lean on her for leadership and guidance.”
At Big Ten Media Days, Wiliams said: “I know the rest of our team really wants to lean into playing hard just out of respect for Sam Haiby.”
Maryland Terrapins
Last season: 23-9 Overall, 13-4 Big Ten
Maryland will look very different this season. Gone from last season are Angel Reese, Ashley Owusu, and Mimi Collins, who all transferred, as well as Katie Benzan and Chloe Bibby, who completed their eligibility. That fivesome accounted for 62 of Maryland’s 78.8 total points per game last season - nearly 79%!
The cupboard is not bare though. Key returnees are Diamond Miller and 2022 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Shyanne Sellers who won the award as a freshman. Miller was also named to the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award preseason watch list as a top shooting guard while Sellers was named to the Cheryl Miller Award as a top small forward. The Terrapins also added 2022 Ivy League Player of the Year Abby Meyers from Princeton. Meyers is a Maryland native who attended Terrapins games while growing up. Other transfers expected to contribute are Lavender Briggs who transferred from Florida and Brinae Alexander from Vanderbilt.
Head Coach Brenda Frese addressed the new-look Terrapins on Big Ten Media Days
“For us at Maryland, for our team, it is going to be a unique team and season for us this year,” Frese said. You will continue to see a lot of our team traits, going to be very similar [to what] we've had in the past. But we're also going to try a lot of different concepts.”
Frese also discussed how she and her staff have responded to the challenge of the roster turnover since last season.
“For us and our staff, it's been really stimulating to put these pieces of the puzzle together and really how we're going to maximize our roster this upcoming season,” Frese said. “People always talk about playing positionless basketball in this new era. You're really going to see it from us this upcoming season.”
Maryland’s new roster will be tested right away, as the Terrapins’ non-conference slate includes three teams ranked by ESPN in the top 10.
“We're also going to find out really quickly what we need to work on. Our non-conference schedule is probably one of the toughest we've ever played here in my time at Maryland. Second game of the season is against defending national champion South Carolina, we have UConn coming in as well, we're at Baylor, at Notre Dame, we also play DePaul, just a few of our non-conference games this season.”
Northwestern Wildcats
Last season: 17-12 Overall, 8-8 Big Ten
Northwestern has a total of eight first- or second-year players this season. A key returnee is Courtney Shaw who was just one of 11 players last season to shoot over 50% field-goal percentage and also average 10 rebounds and one block per game. Other key players returning are Laya Hartman who averaged 7.6 points per game shot 38.7% from 3-point range and Caileigh Walsh who averaged 7.4 points and 1.4 blocks per game as a freshman.
However, Veronica Burton, three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year has graduated and moved on to the WNBA and will definitely be missed. Burton led the nation in steals the previous two seasons and was sixth in assists last season.
“Love our team right now,” Head Coach Joe McKeown said. “We lost one of the great generational players in Big Ten history, Veronica Burton, first-round pick of the Dallas Wings. Just got done playing this weekend with USA Basketball. I gave her the ball four years ago, and she gave it back. I'd like to announce that she is coming back for a fifth year, but unfortunately, that's not going to happen.”
McKeown recognizes that the loss of Burton opens the door for his younger players to flourish this season. To that end, he has been impressed with the leadership shown by fifth-year seniors Shaw and Sydney Wood, the latter of whom was a Big Ten All-Defensive Team selection who missed most of last season due to injury.
“It creates opportunities for younger players, too,” McKeown said. “We brought back two fifth-year seniors, Courtney Shaw and Sydney Wood. I'm looking at the trophies. They were part of our Big Ten championship team in 2020. They just understand. They're helping our young players every day. Just lucky to have them, have that experience in a league where everybody's good.”
Michigan State Spartans
Last season: 15-15 Overall, 8-9 Big Ten
Key returnees for Michigan State include DeeDee Hagemann (7.7 points and 5.3 assists per game), Matilda Ekh (11.8 points per game and 39.4% from 3-point range) and Taiyier Parks (8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game). The Spartans lost Nia Clouden (20 points per game) who was a first-round WNBA pick.
Michigan State added transfers Kamaria McDaniel, Gabby Elliott, and Stephanie Visscher.
Head Coach Suzy Merchant had this to say about her team on Big Ten Media Day:
“I brought [to Big Ten Media Days] DeeDee Hagemann and Matilda Ekh, who were on the All-Freshman team last year, really significant players for us last year; I brought Taiyier Parks, our anchor inside, as our center.”
Merchant also highlighted the transfers the Spartans added:
We've added three impactful transfers. Kamaria McDaniel. When she was here in the Big Ten [at Penn State], she was second in the Big Ten in scoring. [She] was a First Team All-Conference player, top 15 in the country scorer in general. We've added Gabby Elliott, who was on the All-Freshman team at Clemson, a Detroit native, someone we recruited pretty hard out of high school as well. She was second in scoring in the ACC on her team at Clemson. Just over 13 a game. A stat sheet stuffer, I would say. She can score it. She rebounds it, assists, [and] steals. The third transfer we've added we're really excited about. Stephanie Visscher is originally from Sweden. We have that connection with Matilda. She's from Stephen F. Austin. She was a three-time All-Defensive performer and a four-time First Team All-Conference performer as well and led their team in scoring.
Merchant noted the reasons for adding these particular transfers saying,
“The three impact transfers that we have have really done a great job at their previous institutions. All have a connection to Michigan State. Two are Detroiters, and one is connected to Matilda. They were the right transfers. We just didn't take transfers, we took a few kids that we really feel like fit Michigan State.”
Michigan State’s combination of transfers and returning players has Merchant optimistic about the upcoming season.
“With who we have coming back, we're very excited about this season ahead,” Merchant said.
Purdue Boilermakers
Last season: 17-15 Overall, 7-11 Big Ten
Purdue made great strides under first-year coach and alum Katie Gearlds, improving from 7-16 in 2020-21 to 17-15 last season.
Key returnees include Madison Layden (11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game), Abbey Ellis (11.5 points per game) and Cassidy Hardin (8.7 points per game).
Also added to the roster via transfers are 2022 WAC Player of the Year Caitlyn Harper from Cal Baptist and Lasha Petree from Rutgers.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last season: 15-18 Overall, 7-11 Big Ten
Minnesota will be an interesting team to watch. After transfers and graduations, the Golden Gophers return only three players from last season’s team. Of those three, Katie Borowicz sat out the entire season with an injury, and Maggie Czinano was also hampered by injuries and played only 22 minutes all season. The third, Alanna Micheaux, did play in 30 games and started 16. Borowicz did an early enrollment in 2021, so she is still a redshirt freshman. Micheau and Czinano are sophomores. They are joined by a top-ten recruiting class, all of whom are from Minnesota.
It’s a unique situation, but the players and Head Coach Lindsay Whalen all spoke of a great chemistry within the team. Time will tell if the young players can make the adjustment to Big Ten play.
“We've used every possible hour to practice and to work together as a team to continue to build this group,” Whalen said. “It's a fun group. Every day I look forward to going in and coaching them, being a part of practice and being a part of their journey. There's no question that's a group that's really special. They're very talented on and off the floor. Very excited to continue to work with them and see what they can do.”
On challenges the young team may have, Whalen said, “We know they're freshmen. The Big Ten, I said earlier, every night is like playing in the NCAA tournament because the competition is so good. Every year half, if not more, of our teams go to the NCAA tournament. Every night is that. It will be exciting for them, to see them continue to grow and continue to get better.”
Penn State Nittany Lions
Last season: 11-18 Overall, 5-13 Big Ten
Head Coach Carolyn Keiger had this to say at the Big Ten Media Days about the progress Penn State has made:
“We've been making huge strides as a program these last three years. We believe this is the year we're going to make a big turnaround. As hard as it is to be patient during a rebuild, we know all the adversity we've been through the last three seasons will be a catalyst for our success this year. The foundation is laid, the standard is set, the culture has been driven by our leaders. We have had a fantastic off-season in the gym and in the weight room. We know we're ready.
Kieger mentioned several key players that will be counted on, most notably Makenna Marisa. The senior guard was just named to the Nancy Lieberman Award preseason watch list as a top point guard.
Makenna Marisa [22.2 points per game] returns to us as one of the best guards in the country. Kieger said. “Her development these last three years has been remarkable. And I know our program is excited for her to get the national recognition she deserves. Leilani Kapinus [9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game] is another All-Conference performer who returns to us as well. She's primed and ready. I believe she's not only one of the best defenders in the Big Ten but in the country. Anna Camden [6.1 points, 4.9 rebounds per game] has been shooting lights out for us this off-season and continues to be our captain, our leader, and our culture driver.
Kieger is delighted that two players who were out last season are available.
“Johnasia Cash [13.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 2020-21] returns to us for her COVID year after being out this past season,” Kieger said. “We're just thrilled to have her athleticism, length, speed and competitive spirit back with our team. We are finally ecstatic to get Alli Campbell [2020-21 season at Notre Dame and out all last season with an injury] in a Penn State uniform. She's worked extremely hard to get back to 100%. Just like the All-American she was in high school, I know she's going to do big things for us at Penn State.”
Kieger also had high praise for a trio of transfers joining the Nittany Lions this season.
“In addition, we welcome transfers to our program who will [have] immediate impacts,'' Kieger said. “Taniyah Thompson joins us as a First Teamer from East Carolina. I think she's one of the most underrated guards in the country. I'm excited for her to show her skill set at this level. Chanaya Pinto comes to us from Oregon. Her energy and passion has been infectious. Alexa Williamson is also a four-year transfer out of Temple whose speed is top-notch and next level.”
Penn State features a close-knit squad ready to take on the stiff challenges that the Big Ten presents every night.
“All of these women, as well as the rest of the team, make me proud to coach them every day, '' Kieger said. “They're amazing people, relentless workers, and I'm lucky to call them my family. I love this group and I cannot wait to go to battle with them every night.”
Wisconsin Badgers
Last season: 8-21 Overall, 5-13 Big Ten
Wisconsin returns leading scorer Julie Pospisilova and added 2021-22 Patriot League Player of the Year Avery LaBarbera from Holy Cross. They also added a trio of highly-touted freshmen: Sania Copeland, Mary Ferrito and Ronnie Porter.
“Last year we won more Big Ten games than we had since 2015 at Wisconsin,” Head Coach Marisa Moseley said. “Definitely a great momentum and upward trajectory for the program. Really feel like we've set the tone for what's to come this coming season.”
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last season: 11-20 Overall, 3-14 Big Ten
Rutgers is led by Coquese Washington this season after taking over for Naismith Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer. Although this is Washington’s first season with Rutgers, she was previously Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2014 with Penn State.
Their top scorers from last season have graduated or transferred. The Scarlet Knights have returning players Awa Sidibe, Erica Lafayette and Chyna Cornell, and added transfers Kassondra Brown, Kai Carter and Abby Streeter to go with freshmen Kaylene Smikle and Antonia Bates for a roster of eight.
“One thing that I always admired and respected about Coach Stringer was as much what she did off the court as she did on the court, how she cared for her players, how she challenged and nurtured and grew her players,” Washington said. “A Rutgers women's basketball team will still be reflective of that even though there's been a change of leadership.”
On possible differences in playing style, Washington said, “Our style of play may be a little bit different. Coach Stringer was known for great defense and low-scoring games. I kind of like to score a few more points, so the pace may be a little bit different [smiling]. The styles may be a little bit different. But I think the thing that will remain constant and consistent is the pursuit of excellence, the pursuit of championships, and loving and caring and nurturing our players off the court in a way. that's authentic and truly a positive representation of Rutgers athletics and Rutgers University.”
Illinois Fighting Illini:
Last season: 7-20 Overall, 1-13 Big Ten
Illinois is led by first-year coach Shauna Green. The roster is made up of five returning players, four freshmen and four transfers. The returnees include Adalia McKenzie (9.4 points per game), Jada Peebles (7.0 points per game) and Kendall Bostic (6.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game). Transfer Makira Cook from Dayton was the 2022 Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player.
“I've always been concerned about just ‘Are we getting better possession by possession, day by day, drill to drill? Are we getting 1% better?’” Coach Green said about her coaching philosophy. “That was the same way last year when I had a veteran team [Dayton] knowing we were going to compete for a championship, or this year when we're trying to rebuild a program. You can't get too far ahead of yourself. You’ve got to really stay present and try to just get better in those moments.”
Green elaborated on how she is hoping to build a successful program.
Right now we're just really trying to learn how to win, teach them how to win, have winning ways, what the standard of excellence looks like day by day, again, possession by possession,” Green said. “Progress, I've said it at my press conference, I'll say it again. We'll be good when we're good. As long as we're continuing to get better day by day, drill by drill, then the outcome takes care of itself.”
As added evidence that the Big Ten has a great deal of talent this season, six teams are in the 2022-23 Associated Press preseason poll in the following positions:
No. 4 Iowa
No. 11 Indiana
No. 14 Ohio State
No. 17 Maryland
No. 22 Nebraska
No. 25 Michigan
This is the most teams of any conference and the most the Big Ten has ever had in an AP preseason poll.
The season begins with eight non-conference games on November 7. Conference play begins December 2.
Note: All stats and rankings exclude any games against non-D1 teams.
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