Big Ten Women's Basketball Preview 2021-22: Terps Repeat?
Will Maryland repeat as Big Ten women's basketball champions? Not if Grace Berger, Naz Hillmon, and Caitlin Clark have anything to say about it.
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Favorites: Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan
Contenders: Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern
Purgatory: Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers
Basement: Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin
Nebraska
Head coach: Amy Williams (6th season)2020-21 record: 13-13 (9-10)
Conference finish: 9th (last season)
Nebraska got into the WNIT last season, its first postseason appearance since dancing in 2018, and has some of its best players from last season back for this one. Sam Haiby, who averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per contest, plus shot 37.4 percent from deep in 2020-21, will be in Lincoln again, as well as the team’s second-leading scorer Isabelle Bourne.
But there is a big question for Nebraska: how will it replace Kate Cain? The Cornhuskers blocked the most shots in the league last season, and Cain was a big reason for that successful rim protection, swatting 2.8 shots per night with her 6-foot-5 frame. But she’s gone now, and it’ll be up to Bella Cravens and company to make up for the loss.
Maybe putting Nebraska as a contender is a bit zealous, but I think there’s too much returning on this roster to put this team in purgatory. A tournament bid is possible for the Huskers in 2022.
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