Jan Jensen knew UNI was good, feels fortunate Iowa escaped with win
Iowa’s head coach talks about the differences in a close in-state rivalry victory over the Panthers and her respect for Maya McDermott.
The Big Ten women’s basketball non-conference slates are in the rearview mirror. It’s now full-throttle ahead for league play.
With that, here are the latest USA TODAY Sports Network’s Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings.
1. UCLA (12-0)
Previously: No. 1
What to know: The Bruins‘ unblemished record will get tested early in Big Ten play, as UCLA faces Nebraska (Sunday), Michigan (Jan. 1) and at Indiana (Jan. 4) over the next week.
2. USC (11-1)
Previously: No. 2
What to know: After ending the non-conference in style with a big road win at UConn, JuJu Watkins and the Trojans resume Big Ten play with upcoming home games vs. Michigan and Nebraska.
3. Maryland (11-0)
Previously: No. 3
What to know: Two ranked matchups over its next three games will test Maryland immediately after the break. The Terrapins face No. 19 Michigan State (Sunday) and No. 22 Iowa (Jan. 5) with a home game vs. Rutgers in between (Jan. 2).
4. Ohio State (12-0)
Previously: No. 4
What to know: The Buckeyes will ease back into Big Ten play with upcoming games at Rutgers and home vs. Northwestern. A big road trip, though, is looming on Jan. 8 at Ohio State.
5. Michigan State (11-1)
Previously: No. 5
What to know: A loss last Friday to Alabama at the West Palm Beach Classic spoiled a perfect non-conference record. But the Spartans have established themselves as one of the Big Ten’s high-end players. Sunday road trip to Maryland will test that instantly.
6. Iowa (10-2)
Previously: No. 6
What to know: After completing another in-state sweep by beating Northern Iowa in their non-conference finale, the Hawkeyes will get Purdue at home Sunday to resume league play.
7. Michigan (10-2)
Previously: No. 8
What to know: We’ll know a lot more about the Wolverines in the coming weeks. Michigan plays at USC on Sunday, at UCLA on Wednesday, then hosts Ohio State on Jan. 8.
8. Nebraska (10-2)
Previously: No. 7
What to know: After ending the non-conference with a ranked road loss at Georgia Tech, Nebraska has a brutal return to Big Ten play. The Cornhuskers play at UCLA on Sunday and at USC next Wednesday.
9. Illinois (10-2)
Previously: No. 9
What to know: Can Illinois keep this solid start going? The Fighting Illini return to Big Ten play with three manageable-but-tricky games against Oregon, Washington and at Minnesota.
10. Indiana (9-3)
Previously: No. 10
What to know: Perhaps the early-season turbulence is behind Indiana. After a 1-2 start, the Hoosiers will carry a five-game winning streak back into Big Ten play against Wisconsin, UCLA and Northwestern upcoming.
11. Minnesota (12-1)
Previously: No. 11
What to know: The non-conference schedule was far from difficult, but the Golden Gophers‘ impressive ledger is still a decent step forward from recent cellar-dwelling days. Minnesota returns to league play with upcoming games against Penn State, Wisconsin and Illinois.
12. Oregon (9-3)
Previously: No. 12
What to know: Oregon was 6-0 over its first six games and is 3-3 over its last six games. The Ducks will look for consistency in Big Ten play, starting with Illinois, Northwestern and Wisconsin.
13. Wisconsin (10-2)
Previously: No. 14
What to know: Like Minnesota, the record looks good even if the competition necessarily wasn’t. The Badgers will look to add more substance to their resume with upcoming games vs. Indiana, Minnesota and Oregon.
14. Penn State (9-3)
Previously: No. 13
What to know: Another team hunting stability after a swift start gave way to a sputtering finish in non-conference play. Penn State returns to Big Ten action with upcoming games against Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
15. Washington (9-4)
Previously: No. 15
What to know: A tough road is ahead for the Huskies as they resume their inaugural year inside the Big Ten. Up next, Washington will play at Northwestern and Illinois before returning home to face Wisconsin.
16. Rutgers (8-4)
Previously: No. 17
What to know: An absolute gauntlet awaits Rutgers upon resuming Big Ten play. The Scarlet Knights host Ohio State Sunday, play at Maryland next Thursday, then host USC on Jan. 5.
17. Purdue (7-5)
Previously: No. 17
What to know: Another team that’s charging head-on into the teeth of the Big Ten. Purdue plays at Iowa Sunday, at Michigan State on Wednesday, then hosts UCLA on Jan. 7 and Michigan on Jan. 11. Right now, those four foes are all ranked.
18. Northwestern (7-5)
Previously: No. 18
What to know: Northwestern ended the non-conference with a loss to College of Charleston and a close win over Howard at the Hawk Classic in Philadelphia. The Wildcats resume Big Ten play with upcoming games versus Washington and Oregon.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
