Women’s basketball: Breaking down the Big Ten

The Big Ten women's basketball season begins Sunday. The league has expanded to 14 teams and the league season is 18 games. Here's a preview and predicted finish:

1. MARYLAND

Cedar Rapids native Brenda Frese took the Terrapins to the Final Four last season, and her squad will make an immediate impact in the Big Ten. Terrapins lead the league in scoring at 84.7 points per game. Coaches and media picked this team to win the league before the season began, and it hasn't done anything to change anyone's mind.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 27-5 overall, 15-3 conference. Big Ten tournament: Champion. Postseason: NCAA (No. 3 seed).

2. RUTGERS

Former Iowa coach C.Vivian Stringer returns to the Big Ten, and the Scarlet Knights join Maryland as instant contenders. As always, Stringer's crew will be stingy (Rutgers' opponents are shooting 32.9 percent from the floor). Betnijah Laney is the Big Ten's top rebounder at 12.8 boards per game.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 25-7 overall, 14-4 conference. Big Ten tournament: Runner-up. Postseason: NCAA (No. 4 seed).

3. NEBRASKA

The Huskers have been Iowa's nemesis since their arrival into the league, and will give Nebraska the tie-break on Iowa for third on that fact alone. Rachel Theriot is averaging 18.3 points per game and shooting 96 percent from the free throw line. The Huskers enter Big Ten play with the league's best RPI (7).

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 25-7 overall, 13-5 conference. Big Ten tournament: Semifinalist. Postseason: NCAA (No. 5 seed).

4. IOWA

This is potentially Lisa Bluder's best team at Iowa, and the Hawkeyes have a good opportunity to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1995-96. Samantha Logic is the top point guard, Melissa Dixon is explosive from outside and the Hawkeyes can score with anybody. Depth is a concern, and rebounding has been a problem.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 24-8 overall, 13-5 conference. Big Ten tournament: Semifinalist. Postseason: NCAA (No. 5 seed).

5. MICHIGAN STATE

Probably the last of the serious title contenders, Michigan State leads the Big Ten in rebounding at plus-11.7 per game. They are turnover-prone, though; MSU is one of two Big Ten teams (Wisconsin is the other) on the wrong end of the turnover margin in non-conference play). A nice 1-2 scoring punch in Aerial Powers and Tori Jankoska, both at more than 18 ppg.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 20-10 overall, 12-6 conference. Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist. Postseason: NCAA (No. 8 seed).

6. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes boast the league's top two scorers - freshman Kelsey Mitchell leads at 25.9 points per game, a rate that is third-best in the country, while Ameryst Alston adds 21.9 ppg. Another freshman (Alexa Hart) is the top shooter at 65.6 percent. This is a potentially dangerous team on its way back to prosperity.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 19-13 overall, 10-8 conference. Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist. Postseason: NCAA (No. 9 seed).

7. MICHIGAN

Other than Iowa, the Wolverines are the league's most dangerous team from outside. They are hitting 38.7 percent of their 3-point attempts. Keep Siera Thompson off the free throw line; she's hitting a league best 96 percent to lead a team that's shooting 77.6 percent from the stripe.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 18-13 overall, 9-9 conference. Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist. Postseason: NCAA (No. 10 seed).

8. PURDUE

Boilermakers look like a bubble team come March. Purdue sits near the Big Ten in most all statistical categories and is coming off a someone pedestrian 7-4 non-conference schedule. Whitney Bays averages more than 10 rebounds and nearly 3 steals per game.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 17-14 overall, 9-9 conference. Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist. Postseason: WNIT.

9. NORTHWESTERN

Wildcats had a nice pre-league start at 10-1 and value the basketball as well as anyone in the conference. They rank at the top in steals (13.0 per game) and turnover margin (plus-6.2 per game). And they can defend, giving up just 55 points per game. Breakout year? Maybe.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 17-13 overall, 7-11 conference. Big Ten tournament: First-round loss. Postseason: WNIT.

10. INDIANA

Hoosiers faced a somewhat soft non-conference schedule and ran up a 10-1 start, outscoring their opposition by about 28 points per game and averaging a league-best 18.6 assists per game. Tyra Buss is a high-scoring, dynamic freshman.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 16-14 overall, 6-12 conference. Big Ten tournament: First-round loss. Postseason: WNIT.

11. MINNESOTA

Minnesota suffered a debiliating loss when all-Big Ten performer Rachel Banham went down with a torn ACL. With her, the Gophers would have been set for a run at the upper division. Now, it's going to be very difficult.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 17-14 overall, 6-12 conference. Big Ten tournament: First-round loss. Postseason: WNIT.

12. ILLINOIS

There's progress being made in Champaign, and the Fighting Illini could work their way into the middle of the pack with some breaks. They defend the perimeter well and take good care of the basketball (second in the league in turnover margin).

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 15-16 overall, 6-12 conference. Big Ten tournament: First-round loss. Postseason: None.

13. PENN STATE

You knew graduation was going to take a toll, but who knew Penn State would fall this far, this fast? They take a 3-8 mark into the conference season and an RPI of 267. You don't figure the Lady Lions will stay down long, but this without a doubt is a rebuilding year.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 7-23 overall, 4-14 conference. Big Ten tournament: First-round loss. Postseason: None.

14. WISCONSIN

The Badgers are the only Big Ten team to be outscored during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Wins will be a difficult commodity. The Badgers have nobody in the league's top 20 in scoring or rebounding.

Record (after Big Ten tournament): 6-23 overall, 2-16 conference. Big Ten tournament: First-round loss. Postseason: None.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com