Predictions for the 2021-22 Big Ten women’s basketball race

3 games have been called off for Thursday -- and Iowa is off Sunday, as well; our pick is 4th place for the Hawkeyes

Dec. 28, 2021 12:55 pm, Updated: Dec. 29, 2021 2:56 pm

Predictions for the 2021-22 Big Ten women’s basketball race

This may be an effort made totally in vain.

As the Big Ten women’s basketball season is set to resume, three scheduled games Thursday are off the board, including Iowa’s road contest against Penn State.

Also called off Thursday are Maryland at Illinois, and Purdue at Wisconsin.

In addition, the Hawkeyes’ scheduled game for Sunday at home against Illinois is postponed, as was announced Wednesday, due to an outbreak in the Illinois program.

The Big Ten is in the process of determining whether games will be considered forfeits or (more likely) no-contests.

The 21st-ranked Hawkeyes (6-3) already have one conference win in the bank, an impressive Dec. 5 verdict over Michigan State, which landed Coach Lisa Bluder at 800 career victories.

Iowa has had five games called off. As a result of that — and finals week — the Hawkeyes have had stretches of 15 days, 10 days and now 15 days between games.

Since a 4-0 start, Iowa has played just five games in the last six weeks, and has won only two.

Iowa’s next scheduled game is Jan. 6 at home against Northwestern.

Where do the Hawkeyes fit in the Big Ten race? I still think they’re a contender for a top-four slot (along with Maryland, Indiana and Michigan) and a coveted double-bye for the Big Ten tournament. But they need continuity. They need consistency.

They need games.

Here is one projection for the Big Ten race, from 1 to 14. This has all teams playing all 18 games, which simply isn’t going to happen. Projected records do not include Big Ten tournament games or NCAA/WNIT tournament games.

1. Maryland (currently 10-3, 2-0; NET 15)

Projected record: 24-5

Projected Big Ten record: 16-2

Big Ten tournament: Champion

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 2 seed

2. Indiana (currently 10-2, 2-0; NET 10)

Projected record: 23-5

Projected Big Ten record: 15-3

Big Ten tournament: Runner-up

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 2 seed

3. Michigan (currently 11-1, 2-0; NET 39)

Projected record: 24-4

Projected Big Ten record: 15-3

Big Ten tournament: Semifinalist

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 3 seed

4. Iowa (currently 6-3, 1-0; NET 33)

Projected record: 19-7

Projected Big Ten record: 14-4

Big Ten tournament: Semifinalist

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 5 seed

5. Ohio State (currently 9-2, 1-1; NET 17)

Projected record: 19-8

Projected Big Ten record: 11-7

Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 7 seed

6. Nebraska (currently 12-0, 1-0; NET 7)

Projected record: 22-7

Projected Big Ten record: 11-7

Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 7 seed

7. Northwestern (currently 9-3, 1-0; NET 66)

Projected record: 17-12

Projected Big Ten record: 9-9

Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist

Postseason projection: NCAA tournament, 10 seed

8. Michigan State (currently 7-6, 1-1; NET 95)

Projected record: 14-15

Projected Big Ten record: 8-10

Big Ten tournament: Quarterfinalist

Postseason projection: WNIT

9. Purdue (currently 9-4, 0-2; NET 91)

Projected record: 17-12

Projected Big Ten record: 8-10

Big Ten tournament: 2nd round

Postseason projection: WNIT