Sizing up the Big Ten women's basketball race

Gazette/KCRG sports reporter Jeff Linder picks the Big Ten women's basketball race (overall records include Big Ten tournament):

1. NEBRASKA -- 12-4 Big Ten, 25-6 overall. Big Ten tournament champion. NCAA tournament (No. 3 seed)

2. MICHIGAN STATE -- 11-5 Big Ten, 21-11 overall. Big Ten tournament runner-up. NCAA tournament (No. 8 seed)

3. PURDUE -- 11-5 Big Ten, 22-8 overall. Big Ten tournament semifinalist. NCAA tournament (No. 6 seed)

4. PENN STATE -- 11-5 Big Ten, 21-9 overall. Big Ten tournament semifinalist. NCAA tournament (No. 6 seed)

5. IOWA -- 11-5 Big Ten, 24-8 overall. Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist. NCAA tournament (No. 6 seed)

6. MINNESOTA -- 10-6 Big Ten, 22-10 overall. Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist. NCAA tournament (No. 9 seed)

7. WISCONSIN -- 7-9 Big Ten, 15-15 overall. Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist. WNIT.

8. OHIO STATE -- 5-11 Big Ten, 15-17 overall. Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist. No postseason.

9. ILLINOIS -- 5-11 Big Ten, 12-17 overall. Big Ten tournament first-round loser. No postseason.

10. MICHIGAN -- 5-11 Big Ten, 14-15 overall. Big Ten tournament first-round loser. No postseason.

11. INDIANA -- 4-12 Big Ten, 17-12 overall. Big Ten tournament first-round loser. WNIT.

12. NORTHWESTERN -- 4-12 Big Ten, 14-15 overall. Big Ten tournament first-round loser. No postseason.