Kyle's Take: Preseason Big Ten WBB Power Rankings

The women’s college basketball season is set to get underway next week and the Big Ten is undoubtedly one of the top conferences in the country. Last season, the Big Ten sent 12 teams to the NCAA Tournament, which was the most of any conference. This year, six teams are ranked in the preseason AP Poll, led by UCLA (3), Maryland (10), Michigan (13), USC (18), Iowa (21) and Michigan State (23). The Bruins are led by preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts and are the preseason pick to win the conference by both the coaches and the media.

HawkeyeReport has compiled preseason power rankings, with a quick look at all 18 teams, including key returners and additions for each roster.

1. UCLA Bruins

2025-26: 34-3 (15-2) NCAAT: W vs Southern, W vs Richmond, W vs Ole Miss, W vs LSU, L vs UConn

Returning Starters (4): C Lauren Betts (34), F Angela Dugalic (34), G Kiki Rice (33), G Gabriela Jaquez (33)

Key Returner: C Lauren Betts – The Bruins return four starters, but this one was an easy choice, as Lauren Betts is the leading candidate to win National Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. A First Team All-American last season, Betts was the first Bruin to put up 600+ points, 300+ rebounds and 100+ blocks in a season, averaging 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. She scored 20+ points in 18 of 34 games, including a season-high 33 points against Maryland.

Impact Addition: Utah transfer G Gianna Kneepkens – The biggest transfer signing of any team in the Big Ten goes to the Bruins, with the addition of Kneepkens from Utah. A double-digit scorer in each of her four collegiate seasons, Gianna put up a career season last year after missing the majority of her junior year due to injury. She led the Utes in scoring, averaging 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while knocking down 94 three-pointers. This addition keeps UCLA in the national title conversation.

2. Maryland Terrapins

2025-26: 25-8 (13-5) NCAAT: W vs Norfolk State, W vs Alabama, L vs South Carolina

Returning Starters (2): G Kaylene Smikle (33), F Saylor Poffenbarger (17)

Key Returner: G Kaylene Smikle – The former Rutgers transfer made an immediate impact for the Terps last season, leading the team in scoring, averaging 17.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. A First Team All-Big Ten selection, Smikle scored 20+ points in 13 games, including a season-high 36 points against Washington.

Impact Addition: Indiana transfer F Yarden Garzon – A familiar face to all in the Big Ten, Yarden Garzon stays in the conference, but goes a few hundred miles to the East Coast. The Terps already have a go-to scorer with Smikle, so Garzon should slot in really nicely as a secondary scorer. Last season, Yarden averaged 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists, while knocking down a career-high 88 triples to break the Indiana career mark (216). She scored in double figures 27 times, including a career-high 35 points against Washington.

3. Michigan Wolverines

2025-26: 23-11 (11-7) NCAAT: W vs Iowa State, L vs Notre Dame

Returning Starters (3): G Olivia Olson (34), G Mila Holloway (34), G Syla Swords (33)

Key Returner: G Syla Swords – Take your pick here if you’d like. The Wolverines had three true freshmen combine to average 42.1 points per game last season. An ESPN Freshman All-American, Syla Swords averaged 16.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, including knocking down 71 three-pointers. She scored 15+ points in 20 games, including putting up 83 points (27.7 per gm) in three games against Final Four participants.

Impact Addition: Bucknell transfer C Ashley Sofilkanich – If this addition proves to be a fruitful one, the Wolverines could really make some noise this season. The Patriot League Player of the Year last season, Sofilkanich averaged 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 51.3% from two-point range. She scored 20+ points in 19 games, including a career-high 44 points against Colgate. It will be interesting to watch how she adjusts to the change from the Patriot League to the Big Ten.

4. Washington Huskies

2025-26: 19-14 (9-9) NCAAT: L vs Columbia

Returning Starters (4): G Elle Ladine (33), G Sayvia Sellers (33), G Hannah Stines (33), G Chloe Briggs (13)

Key Returner: G Elle Ladine – Surprisingly left off the preseason All-Big Ten team, Elle Ladine is the fourth-highest returning scorer in the conference. A Second Team All-Big Ten selection last season, she averaged 17.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while finishing second in the conference in made triples (77). Ladine made 3+ threes in 12 games and scored 20+ points in 12 games, including a career-high 40 points against Northwestern.

Impact Addition: USC transfer G Avery Howell – The Huskies had three players made 40+ threes last season and all of them return, but they didn’t think that was enough, so they added Avery Howell via the portal. She made just three starts for the Trojans, but averaged 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, including making 59 three-pointers at a 40.0% clip. Washington may be the top three-point shooting in the Big Ten.

5. Iowa Hawkeyes

2025-26: 23-11 (10-8) NCAAT: W vs Murray State, L vs Oklahoma

Returning Starters (3): G Kylie Feuerbach (34), F Hannah Stuelke (32), Taylor McCabe (19)

Key Returner: F Hannah Stuelke – Truly a “key” player for the Hawkeyes, Stuelke needs to have the best season of her career, and it has to come at the power forward position. She averaged 12.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, but her field goal percentage dropped 12.9% down to 49.8%. Hannah is a First Team All-Big Ten caliber player, but this is her last chance to hit her ceiling.

Impact Addition: Georgia Tech transfer PG Chit-Chat Wright – The Hawkeyes made a couple of additions from the portal, but point guard was the biggest need and they went and got one. Wright was the Yellow Jackets starting point guard down the stretch of her freshman season, averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, including an impressive 2.21 assist-to-turnover ratio and 43 made triples.

6. Michigan State Spartans

2025-26: 22-10 (11-7) NCAAT: W vs Harvard, L vs NC State

Returning Starters (2): F Grace VanSlooten (33), G Theryn Hallock (28)

Key Returner: F Grace VanSlooten – A former transfer from Oregon, VanSlooten is one of the top returning frontcourt players in the Big Ten and might only trail Lauren Betts if you ranked them. The Spartans leading scorer last season, she averaged 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game but did miss nine games. She tallied seven double-doubles and scored in double figures in 28 games, including a season-high 29 points against USC.

Impact Addition: Arizona State transfer G Jalyn Brown – With the graduation of Julia Ayrault, the Spartans needed find some scoring in the portal and head coach Robyn Fralick did just that. The leading scorer for the Sun Devils in each of the last two seasons, Brown averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, but did commit 4.45 turnovers per contest. If she can become more efficient in the role as a secondary scorer behind VanSlooten, this could be a very valuable addition.

7. USC Trojans

2025-26: 31-4 (16-1) NCAAT: W vs UNC-Greensboro, W vs Mississippi State, W vs Kansas State, L vs UConn

Returning Starters (1): G Kennedy Smith (28)

Key Returner: G Kennedy Smith – With JuJu Watkins set to miss the entire season, the Trojans return just 420 points from last season and 266 of those were scored by Kennedy Smith. She averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, but shot just 41.2% FG, 30.3% 3pt and 68.5% FT. Those numbers must improve this season.

Impact Addition: Five-star guard Jazzy Davidson – Could this be the new face of the Trojans? The #2 rated player in the ’25 class by Rivals, there’s a ton of excitement surrounding her freshman season at USC and they’ll need her to make a splash. She averaged 28.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.8 steals per game as a senior at Clackamas High School in Oregon.

8. Minnesota Golden Gophers

2025-26: 25-11 (8-10) WBIT: W vs Toledo, W vs Missouri State, W vs Gonzaga, W vs Florida, W vs Belmont

Returning Starters (5): G Amaya Battle (36), F Grace Grocholski (36), C Sophie Hart (36), G Tori McKinney (30), G Mara Braun (5)

Key Returner: G Mara Braun – Health, health, health. That’s the biggest key for Mara Braun this year. She’s played in just 56 of 102 games during her career, but when she’s available, she’s been good. Healthy for 22 games during the 2023-24 season, Braun averaged 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. If she sticks to her career numbers from behind the arc (2.45 per gm), she will push to knock down 75-80 triples this year.

Impact Addition: Kansas State transfer G Brylee Glenn – The Gophers return all five starters, get starter Mara Braun back from injury and then they added another starter from the portal. A three-year starter at KSU (93 starts), Glenn redshirted last season but averaged 7.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a Wildcat. She will be a good defensive addition, tallying 145 career steals.

9. Ohio State Buckeyes

2025-26: 25-7 (13-5) NCAAT: W vs Montana State, L vs Tennessee

Returning Starters (2): G Chance Gray (33), G Jaloni Cambridge (29)

Key Returner: G Jaloni Cambridge – One of five Big Ten freshman to average in double figures, Jaloni Cambridge lived up to her five-star billing in year one. A Big Ten All-Freshman selection, Cambridge averaged 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. She scored in double figures in 23 games, including a season-high 33 points against Michigan State. With Cotie McMahon down in the SEC with Ole Miss, is Cambridge the new face of the Buckeyes? Might be.

Impact Addition: Boston College transfer G T’yana Todd – The Buckeyes lost three of five starters and 51.3% of their scoring, so there’s opportunity for new players to step up. A two-year starter at BC, Todd averaged 13.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season, while she brings elite perimeter shooting to Columbus. She was tenth in the ACC in made threes (67) and shot a sizzling 45.9% from behind the arc.

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers

2025-26: 21-12 (10-8) NCAAT: L vs Louisville

Returning Starters (4): PG Britt Prince (30), G Callin Hake (30), G Logan Nissley (26), F Natalie Potts (6)

Key Returner: PG Britt Prince – The five-star recruit from Omaha made an instant impact for the Huskers, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. She led the team in starts, while averaging 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Prince scored in double figures in 23 games, including a season-high 24 points on two occasions, against UCLA and Rutgers. Her freshman year was overshadowed by the play of Swords and Olson at Michigan.

Impact Addition: Northwestern transfer G Hailey Weaver – With Natalie Potts back from injury, the Huskers have four starters back. The former Wildcat will be a good piece of depth off the bench. She’s played in 62 career games, averaging 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a junior before skipping last season to focus on her degree. Weaver made 32 threes while averaging just 20.3 minutes, so she knows how to contribute off the bench.

11. Illinois Fighting Illini

2025-26: 22-10 (11-7) NCAAT: W vs Creighton, L vs Texas

Returning Starters (1): G Jasmine Brown-Hagger (17)

Key Returner: F Berry Wallace – The Illini must replace four starters, as well as ’23 leading scorer Makira Cook who was out for the year after just eight games. It’s a lot to replace, but former five-star Berry Wallace showed promise last season, averaging 9.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while knocking down 35 threes. She scored in double figures in 12 games, including a season-high 18 points against Southern Indiana.

Impact Addition: Villanova transfer G Maddie Webber – There are many questions for the Illini as they saw over 75% of their scoring depart, but they’ve got some players penciled in. Point guard Aaliyah Guyton comes over from Iowa, while Nova transfer Maddie Webber gives them an experienced shooting guard. Last season, Webber averaged 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while knocking down a team-high 57 three-pointers. Her efficiency was lacking and must improve after shooting 38.8% from the floor and 30.5% from behind the arc.

12. Indiana Hoosiers

2025-26: 20-13 (10-8) NCAAT: W vs Utah, L vs South Carolina

Returning Starters (1): G Shay Ciezki (33)

Key Returner: G Shay Ciezki – The Hoosiers return just 17.7% of their scoring from last season and all but 19 of those returning points were from Shay Ciezki. A former Penn State transfer, Ciezki averaged 11.8 points and 2.8 assists per game. She scored in double figures in 21 games, but made just 47 three-pointers, which is well below the 74 triples she made at PSU the year prior. With limited experience on the roster, Ciezki may need to take a bigger scoring role.

Impact Addition: UCLA transfer F Zania Socka-Nguemen – There are many spots up for grabs in the Hoosiers rotation and it feels like the UCLA transfer Socka-Nguemen will be one to earn a sizable role. The former four-star recruit, she saw limited action for the Bruins as a true freshman, but was a 2024 McDonald’s All-American and averaged double figures for Team Durant 17U on the EYBL circuit in 2023.

13. Oregon Ducks

2025-26: 20-12 (10-8) NCAAT: W vs Vanderbilt, L vs Duke

Returning Starters (2): F Amina Muhammad (24), G Elisa Mevius (19)

Key Returner: F Amina Muhammad – The Ducks lose their top four scorers but rotated as many players as any team out there, so they still have four players that averaged 10+ minutes per game. A former Texas transfer, Amina Muhammad will take over at center position this year after averaging 6.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 19.4 minutes per game. She scored in double figures in seven games, including a season-high 22 points against Washington State.

Impact Addition: Fresno State transfer G Mia Jacobs – If the transition from the Mountain West to the Big Ten doesn’t prove to be too challenging, this could be prove to be an underrated addition. A First Team All-MW selection, Jacobs averaged 18.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, while knocking down 68 three-pointers at a 38.0% clip. She tallied 19 double-doubles and scored 20+ points in 14 games, including a career-high 36 points against San Jose State.

14. Penn State Lady Lions

2025-26: 10-19 (1-17)

Returning Starters (2): G Moriah Murray (27), C Gracie Merkle (26)

Key Returner: C Gracie Merkle – A huge portal win for the Lady Lions, Carolyn Kieger gets former Bellarmine transfer Gracie Merkle back after she entered the portal and initially committed to Maryland. An All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season, Merkle was seventh in the country in 2pt percentage (67.0%), averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. She scored 15+ points in 13 games, including a season-high 31 points against Drexel.

Impact Addition: Rutgers transfer G Kiyomi McMiller – If you look past some of the off the court issues and getting suspended for a couple of games, the addition of Kiyomi McMiller gives the Lady Lions a solid trio to build around. A former high four-star recruit, McMiller averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, but played in just 21 games for various reasons. She scored 20+ points in ten games, including a season-high 33 points against Nebraska. Coming off of a 1-17 year in Big Ten play, PSU had nothing to lose. If PSU ends up being the right fit for McMiller, this could be a steal.

15. Wisconsin Badgers

2025-26: 13-17 (4-14)

Returning Starters (1): G Ronnie Porter (29)

Key Returner: G Ronnie Porter – The Badgers nearly lost every single starter from last season, but first-year head coach Robin Pingeton was able to retain Ronnie Porter after she initially entered the transfer portal. Standing at just 5’2, Porter is a scrappy guard who averaged 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. She scored in double figures in 13 games, including a career-high 26 points against Georgetown.

Impact Addition: Southern Illinois F Gift Uchenna Okeke – The Badgers had good fortune with a mid-major transfer forward last season, and despite this being a new coaching staff, they’re going to try to do the same thing. A Third Team All-MVC selection, Uchenna Okeke averaged 14.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game on an SIU team that went 4-26. She tallied 21 double-doubles, nine games with 15+ rebounds and 13 games with 15+ points scored. The talent around her will be better at Wisconsin, so her efficiency should see improvement.

16. Northwestern Wildcats

2025-26: 9-18 (2-14)

Returning Starters (3): G Caroline Lau (25), G Casey Harter (25), F Grace Sullivan (15)

Key Returner: G Caroline Lau – Although not known as a prolific scorer, Caroline Lau is known as one of the better facilitators, ranking near the top in assist rate (34.2%) amongst Power 5 players last season. She averaged 4.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, leading the Big Ten in assists per 40 minutes (8.1). Lau scored in double figures just five times, but put up 8+ assists in seven games, including a season-high 12 assists against Lehigh and Cornell.

Impact Addition: TCU transfer forward DaiJa Turner – The ‘Cats did add some scoring with Furman transfer Tate Walters (12.6 ppg), but they need more than scoring to climb out of the bottom of the Big Ten. That’s why this is an intriguing addition. Turner spent four years at TCU but saw very limited action, except an 18-game stretch to begin the 2023-24 season where she averaged 7.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per 40 minutes before suffering a season-ending injury. Her high school stats, though well in the past, were staggering, averaging 16.4 points, 22.6 rebounds and 9.8 blocks per game at Village Christian Academy in North Carolina. She will get her chance to shine with Northwestern.

17. Purdue Boilermakers

2025-26: 10-19 (3-15)

Returning Starters (1): F Lana McCarthy (26)

Key Returner: G Madison Layden-Zay – The Boilermakers are trying to rebuild now two years removed from an NCAA Tournament First Four appearance back in 2023. Someone who was on that team, fifth-year senior Madison Layden-Zay is back after taking last season off. Of the course of her career, she has totaled 1,022 points, 424 rebounds, 288 assists and 206 made three-pointers. A veteran player to help lead the Boilermakers this season.

Impact Addition: Arkansas transfer G Kiki Smith – The ’24 NJCAA Player of the Year at Hutchinson Community College, Kiki Smith had a productive season in the SEC at Arkansas last year to prove she can do it at the DI level. She averaged 10.2 points and 2.0 assists per game for the Razorbacks, including knocking down a team-high 58 threes at a 40.6% clip. Smith scored in double figures in 13 games, including a season-high 23 points against Alabama.

18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2025-26: 13-20 (3-15) WNIT: W vs Army, W vs Charleston, L vs Buffalo

Returning Starters (1): F Zachara Perkins (28)

Key Returner: F Zachara Perkins – The Scarlet Knights return just 9.4% of their scoring from a team that went 3-15 in Big Ten play last season, so that’s a bit concerning. Most of that scoring came from forward Zachara Perkins who averaged 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She scored in double figures in three of the final five games of the season, including a season-high 13 points against Army in the WNIT.

Impact Addition: Boston College transfer G Kaylah Ivey – Rutgers was one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the Big Ten last year and one of the lowest in the country in terms of assist rate. A transfer from BC, Kaylah Ivey should help in both of those areas. Last season, Ivey averaged 5.6 points and 5.0 assists per game, knocking down 50 threes at a 35.5% clip. Her 160 assists would have ranked fourth in the Big Ten.