The Big Ten Conference always delivers excitement in women’s basketball, and the 2024-25 season proves no exception. With new teams shaking up the league and powerhouse programs battling for supremacy, fans eagerly follow the standings as the season unfolds. As of April 8, 2025, the race for the top spot intensifies, showcasing incredible talent, fierce rivalries, and unexpected twists. Let’s dive into the latest updates, team performances, and what lies ahead for Big Ten women’s basketball.
The Big Ten Expands: A New Era Begins
This season marks a historic shift for the Big Ten, as the conference welcomes four new teams: UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington. These additions expand the league to 18 teams, bringing fresh competition and a West Coast flair to the mix. Consequently, the standings reflect a broader, more diverse field, with traditional Midwest powerhouses now clashing with Pac-12 transplants. This expansion also means only the top 15 teams qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, leaving the bottom three out in the cold.
The regular season, which kicked off in November 2024, nears its conclusion, and teams fight tooth and nail for positioning. Moreover, the arrival of these new programs elevates the stakes, as they bring national championship pedigrees and star players into the fold. Fans marvel at how these changes reshape the standings and redefine rivalries.
Current Standings: Who Leads the Pack?
As of today, April 8, 2025, the Big Ten women’s basketball standings showcase a tight race at the top. USC holds the number one spot with an impressive 17-1 conference record and a 26-2 overall mark. Right behind them, UCLA sits at 16-2 in conference play and boasts a 27-2 overall record. Ohio State claims third place with a 13-5 Big Ten record and a 24-5 overall tally, while Maryland follows closely with an identical 13-5 conference record.
Further down the list, Michigan rounds out the top five with an 11-7 conference record and a 20-9 overall standing. Illinois, Michigan State, and Oregon jockey for position in the middle of the pack, each showing flashes of brilliance throughout the season. Meanwhile, teams like Indiana, Nebraska, and Iowa cling to hopes of climbing higher as the postseason looms. At the bottom, Purdue, Northwestern, and Penn State struggle to secure a tournament berth, facing elimination from the top 15.
These standings shift weekly, as upsets and clutch performances keep the leaderboard fluid. For instance, USC’s dominance stems from their victory over UCLA in a thrilling 80-67 showdown, securing the regular-season title. However, UCLA’s resilience and depth promise a fierce rematch in the postseason.
USC Trojans: The Top Dogs
USC storms into the Big Ten with authority, clinching the regular-season crown in their inaugural year. The Trojans, led by sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins, dominate opponents with a blend of speed, scoring, and tenacity. Watkins, the Big Ten Player of the Year, averages jaw-dropping numbers and shatters records, including becoming the fastest Trojan to reach 1,000 career points. Her 38-point, 11-rebound, eight-block, five-assist masterpiece earlier this season highlights her superstar status.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb, named Big Ten Coach of the Year, masterminds USC’s success with strategic brilliance. The team’s 17-1 conference record reflects their consistency, with their lone loss coming early in the season. Furthermore, their top-10 national ranking all year long underscores their status as a championship contender. As the postseason approaches, USC aims to cement their legacy with a tournament title.
UCLA Bruins: A Close Second
UCLA trails USC by a hair but remains a force to reckon with in the Big Ten. The Bruins, boasting a 16-2 conference record, claim the number two seed in the standings. Junior center Lauren Betts anchors their defense, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors with her towering presence and record-breaking blocks. Betts averages 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, making her a matchup nightmare for opponents.
The Bruins spent 12 consecutive weeks atop the AP Top 25, setting a Big Ten record, before USC dethroned them. Despite the loss, UCLA’s 27-2 overall record and number one national seed in the NCAA Committee’s reveal signal their championship potential. Coach Cori Close fuels their fire, blending veteran leadership with young talent. With the Big Ten Tournament victory already under their belt, UCLA eyes a deep NCAA run.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Steady and Strong
Ohio State occupies third place in the standings, tied with Maryland at 13-5 in conference play. The Buckeyes, with a 24-5 overall record, rely on guard Jaloni Cambridge, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, to spark their offense. Cambridge’s dynamic playmaking and scoring ability keep Ohio State competitive against the league’s elite. The team’s five Big Ten Tournament titles in history add weight to their postseason aspirations.
Coach Kevin McGuff steers the Buckeyes with a balanced attack, blending sharp shooting with stout defense. Their consistent top-15 national ranking reflects their reliability, though they face stiff challenges from USC and UCLA. Nevertheless, Ohio State’s experience and grit position them as a dark horse in the tournament.
Maryland Terrapins: Holding Their Own
Maryland matches Ohio State’s 13-5 conference record, securing fourth place via tiebreaker. The Terrapins thrive under Coach Brenda Frese, who recently celebrated her 600th win at Maryland. Their balanced roster features sharpshooters and rebounders who keep games close, even against top-tier foes. Maryland’s 8,476 average home attendance ranks eighth nationally, fueling their momentum.
The team’s resilience shines through in their ability to hang with the best, though they lack the star power of USC or UCLA. Still, Maryland’s steady performance ensures they remain a threat in the standings. As the postseason nears, they aim to upset the giants and claim a higher seed.
Michigan Wolverines: Rounding Out the Top Five
Michigan sits fifth with an 11-7 Big Ten record and a 20-9 overall mark, showcasing their competitiveness. The Wolverines lean on guard Olivia Olson, co-Freshman of the Year, to drive their offense with flair and precision. Coach Kim Barnes Arico molds a scrappy squad that battles for every possession, earning them a spot among the elite.
Their season features ups and downs, but Michigan’s tenacity keeps them in the hunt. With a top-25 national ranking at times, they prove capable of challenging anyone. The Wolverines now focus on solidifying their tournament seeding and making noise in March.
Mid-Tier Contenders: Illinois, Michigan State, and Oregon
Illinois, Michigan State, and Oregon hover in the middle of the standings, each with unique strengths. Illinois boasts an 11-6 conference record, driven by forward Kendall Bostic’s versatility. Michigan State, at 10-8 in the Big Ten, rides the energy of their home crowd and a scrappy defense. Oregon, in their first Big Ten season, posts a 9-9 conference mark, leaning on their Pac-12-honed athleticism.
These teams fight for respect and higher placement, knowing every win boosts their tournament chances. Their unpredictable play adds spice to the standings, as they occasionally stun top teams. For now, they aim to climb the ladder and secure a favorable postseason draw.
FAQs:
1. Which team leads the Big Ten women’s basketball standings as of April 8, 2025?
USC tops the standings with a 17-1 conference record and a 26-2 overall mark. Their victory over UCLA clinched the regular-season title, showcasing their dominance in their first Big Ten season.
2. How many teams from the Big Ten made the 2025 NCAA Tournament?
A record-setting 12 Big Ten teams earned NCAA Tournament bids: UCLA, USC, Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington. This haul leads all conferences nationwide.
3. Who won the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament?
UCLA captured the tournament title, defeating USC 74-68 in the championship game on March 9, 2025. The win secured their automatic NCAA bid and highlighted their postseason prowess.
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