Big Ten women's basketball order of finish in 2024-25 projected by USA TODAY Sports Network

Big Ten women’s basketball order of finish in 2024-25 projected by USA TODAY Sports Network

Posted by Admin October 28, 2024 Basketball

The Big Ten’s West Coast injection has had a profound impact on the league’s women’s basketball landscape, arguably more so than any other sport.

Particularly with the arrival of USC and UCLA — two national title contenders in 2024-25 — the Big Ten has never had a more robust women’s basketball product than it will this year. Just when the league wrapped up its spotlight run alongside superstar Caitlin Clark, here comes player of the year candidate JuJu Watkins to grab the baton. A thrilling Big Ten season is undoubtedly ahead.

With that, here is the USA TODAY Sports Network’s predicted order of finish for the upcoming Big Ten women’s basketball campaign. The poll is comprised of six voters who cover the league, which now sits at 18 teams.

Unsurprisingly, the Trojans and Bruins were picked atop the conference. But who comes next?

1. USC (6 first-place votes)
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
T4. Nebraska
T4. Indiana
T6. Maryland
T6. Iowa
8. Michigan State
T9. Minnesota
T9. Michigan
11. Washington
12. Illinois
13. Oregon
14. Wisconsin
15. Penn State
16. Purdue
17. Rutgers
18. Northwestern

The USA TODAY Sports panel of voters includes Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star, Brianna Mac Kay of the Columbus Dispatch, Alec Dietz of the Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard, Ethan Hanson of the Lafayette (Ind.) Courier and Journal, Brian Calloway of the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal, and Dargan Southard of the Des Moines Register.

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.