Our Big Ten women's basketball projections

The 2011-12 Big Ten Conference women's basketball season opens Thursday with six games. Here is The Gazette/KCRG's predicted order of finish, courtesy Jeff Linder:

1. PURDUE (10-3). The Boilermakers went through a puzzling stretch recently, losing at home by 28 to Notre Dame and stumbling at Central Michigan. On the other hand, they do have a win over defending national champion Texas A&M. This team has the most firepower back from last year, and Mackey Arena is a nightmarish place to play (right, Hawkeyes?). Projected record: 23-6 overall, 13-3 conference, Big Ten tournament champion, NCAA Tournament (No. 3 seed).

2. PENN STATE (10-2). This is an explosive team that has crossed the 100-point barrier three times this season, including a 103-84 win over a ranked North Carolina team. Maggie Lucas (19.3 ppg) and Alex Bentley (15.1 ppg) provide a good share of the fireworks. Both losses (at Delaware and at Texas Tech) are certainly forgivable. Projected record: 24-6 overall, 13-3 conference, Big Ten tournament semifinalist, NCAA Tournament (No. 4 seed).

3. OHIO STATE (13-0). It was supposed to be a down year in Columbus after Jantel Lavender graduated. Instead, the Buckeyes have reloaded quickly around Tayler Hill (21.2 ppg) and Samantha Prahalis (17.9 ppg). The top three teams all face each other just once, an advantage for each of them. The Buckeyes don't play either of the favorites until February. Projected record: 27-5 overall, 12-4 conference, Big Ten tournament runner-up, NCAA Tournament (No. 3 seed).

4. MICHIGAN STATE (8-5). The defending-champion Spartans haven't yet found their groove. Coach Suzy Merchant has been tinkering with the starting lineup constantly, starting only two players (Lykendra Johnson and Taylor Alton) in more than 10 games. The schedule is conducive for a fast start, though; MSU faces Indiana twice in the first four games. Projected record: 20-11 overall, 11-5 conference, Big Ten tournament semifinalist, NCAA Tournament (No. 7 seed). 

5. IOWA (8-5). The Hawkeyes were picked third in the preseason, but have been inconsistent in many areas -- especially in rebounding and defense. That has led to two unexpected pre-conference losses against UNLV and Bradley and leaves the Hawkeyes in need of a strong conference season. We forecast 10 conference wins, and Iowa might need every one of them to get back to the NCAA. Projected record: 19-12 overall, 10-6 conference, Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist, NCAA Tournament (No. 10 seed).

6. MICHIGAN (11-2). One of these years, the Wolverines are going to have a complete season. UM has a habit of starting fast, then fading. Michigan put up a solid pre-conference effort marred only by a loss to Eastern Michigan. If the Wolverines can split their first four league games (three on the road, including contests with Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State), they should line themselves up for a top-division finish. Projected record: 21-10 overall, 9-7 conference, Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist, NCAA Tournament (No. 9 seed).

7. NEBRASKA (11-1). The Huskers have ping-ponged in recent years, going from 21-12 to 15-16 to 32-2 to 13-18. They're back on the rise, and after a very strong non-conference schedule, they make their Big Ten debut Thursday, traveling all the way to Penn State. Jordan Hooper (20.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg) has starred in the early going. Projected record: 20-10 overall, 8-8 conference, Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist, NCAA Tournament (No. 9 seed).

8. NORTHWESTERN (10-3). The Wildcats started 9-1 before dropping two of their last three games, including a head-scratching home loss to Toledo. NU has lived well despite the graduation of Amy Jaeschke; four players are averaging at least 11 points per game. It's hard to imagine eight teams from the league getting NCAA bids, though, and the Wildcats might be the odd team out. Projected record: 19-12 overall, 8-8 conference, Big Ten tournament quarterfinalist, WNIT.

9. ILLINOIS (6-7). The Illini were supposed to be the dark horse this season, but it hasn't turned out that way so far. Illinois suffered through a four-game losing streak in November, though all of their losses have some against good competition. Still, the presence of Karisma Penn makes the Illini a threat against anyone. Projected record: 10-20 overall, 4-12 conference, Big Ten tournament first round. No postseason.

10. MINNESOTA (8-6). The Gophers will probably win a couple games they shouldn't, bit overall, it will be another chilly winter in Minneapolis. Projected record: 12-18 overall, 4-12 conference, Big Ten tournament first round. No postseason.

11. INDIANA (5-8). Like usual, there's little to be interested in or excited about concerning IU women's basketball. Projected record: 7-23 overall, 2-14 conference, Big Ten tournament first round. No postseason.

12. WISCONSIN (4-8). The Badgers have lost three straight and open conference play with Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue. Ouch.

Projected record: 6-23 overall, 2-14 conference, Big Ten tournament first round. No postseason.