Hoopla 40: 2024-25 Midseason Rankings
The 40 best players in the Big Ten currently, according to no exact sciences
Last Week’s Hoopla:
Howdy! It’s time for my thrice-annual segment to show just how immensely talented the Big Ten is.
The Hoopla 40 is a list of the 40 best players in Big Ten women’s basketball. These come out at the beginning, middle and end of each season, with each ranking meaning something a little different. With this being the midseason ranking, it is focused strictly on what we have seen from these players this season. This is not a ranking of projection, it is my ranking of these players in their most current forms.
Other things to note:
With this being a midseason ranking, it also shows player movement from the preseason list. That is indicated by the italicized number next to the ranking, and “NEW” is shown for players that were not in the preseason rankings.
Only players who have played at least 8 games were considered for this ranking, around half of what teams have played thus far.
This list has always been stacked with talent, and that’s only become more true with 18 teams involved. There are players left off this list having truly great seasons, so just know all 40 of these players should be praised regardless of if they rose or fell on the list.
Stats mentioned below are via Her Hoop Stats.
Here is my Midseason Hoopla 40, with comments on each player listed below:
Just missed the cut: Theryn Hallock (Michigan State); Jordan Hobbs (Michigan); Addison O’Grady (Iowa); Ajae Petty (Ohio State); Peyton Scott (Oregon)
*Stats listed are through Jan. 12, 2025*
1.) JuJu Watkins, USC —25.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.9 APG
The preseason National Player of the Year has had a tremendous start to the season, trading a slight dip in scoring for improved efficiency along with 2.5 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Watkins is far and away the conference win shares leader, and she has USC playing like a title contender.
2.) Lauren Betts, UCLA — 19.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
The best player on the best team in the country. Betts is nearly averaging a double-double, is shooting north of 60 percent from the field and has 2.1 blocks per game. She has been every bit as good as promised for the undefeated Bruins thus far.
3.) Kiki Iriafen, USC — 18.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.8 APG
The most exciting transfer add in the country is living up to the billing. Iriafen has given USC a massive boost on the interior as her numbers continue to round into form.
4.) Kaylene Smikle, Maryland — 17.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.2 APG
Smikle has been the best player during Maryland’s impressive start to the season. She’s shooting 49.7% from the field and 41.7% from deep, and has been great defensively with 1.8 steals per contest.
5.) Julia Ayrault, Michigan State — 16.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.1 APG
It’s no longer a surprise, Ayrault just does this now. Ayrault remains the focal point for Michigan State thanks to her versatility on both ends of the floor.
6.) Kiki Rice, UCLA — 13.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.1 APG
Feeling vindicated about the season I thought Rice was capable of having. She’s hitting nearly 37 percent of her threes and has an assist-to-turnover ratio that ranks 52nd in the country.
7.) Serah Williams, Wisconsin — 18.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.5 APG
Williams’ numbers remain outstanding for the Badgers as a whole, but Big Ten foes have really contained her in recent games. Regaining her form will be *the* key for Wisconsin’s success in the back half of the season.
8.) Sayvia Sellers, Washington — 15.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.6 APG
The highest-rated newcomer on the list and for good reason. Washington has been playing great basketball lately led by Sellers, who ranks fourth in the Big Ten in win shares on 50/43.6/78.7 splits.
9.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — 15.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.4 APG
The Illini are shorthanded the rest of the season, but Kendall Bostic’s continued excellence is keeping them in postseason play. She’s one of the best rebounders in the country and has taken on extra volume scoring without losing her impressive efficiency.
10.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 14.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.8 APG
The Big Ten loves a good S. Sellers. Shyanne has thrived with Maryland’s new weapons, allowing her to improve her shooting numbers while still getting the ball moving on offense.
11.) Syla Swords, Michigan — 15.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.5 APG
The Freshman of the Year race is going to come down to the final games, but I would give the smallest of edges to Swords for now. She has shown up on the largest stages most consistently, and has handled the heavy volume asked from her brilliantly.
12.) Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State — 14.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.2 APG
Cambridge’s athleticism is out of this world, and it makes the highs of her freshman season undeniable. Ohio State has been more than the sum of its parts to begin the season, but Cambridge has shown All-American potential already.
13.) Lucy Olsen, Iowa — 16.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.9 APG
Olsen has come in and taken the lead point duties for the Hawkeyes with largely success. Her three-point efficiency has dipped, but she is a huge key for Iowa’s offense and has hit plenty of big baskets in just half a season with the team.
14.) Olivia Olson, Michigan — 15.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.4 APG
Early on, it felt like Swords was going to lead this Michigan team. Lately, Olson has closed that gap in a big way. Her scoring ability, as well as her knack of getting to the line, are already elite skills for the Wolverines to utilize.
15.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — 16.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.2 APG
McMahon has missed some time with injuries, but her shooting numbers are improved and she’s been a key reason for the Buckeyes’ undefeated record. There’s still room for McMahon to elevate into one of the top players in the country, but I like what I’ve seen from her thus far.
16.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 14.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.6 APG
Nebraska remains a great Big Ten team thanks to Markowski’s consistency on the interior. She’s a constant double-double threat, and she’s also made large strides in shot-blocking from last season.
17.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — 11.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.1 APG
Death, taxes, and analytics calling Thierry Ohio State’s best player. Thierry is shooting 59.6% from the field and 50% from three with 2.5 steals per game. I still wish she shot the ball more, but Thierry is still supremely useful on the floor as one of the conference’s best defenders.
18.) Tori McKinney, Minnesota — 10.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.4 APG
The story of the season for me. McKinney was not a Top 100 prospect, but was thrust into the starting lineup after Mara Braun went down and, well, she ranks as the sixth-best player in the conference in win shares. The Gophers would not be 16-1 without her.
19.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — 14.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG
It was a slow start to the year for the Hoosiers, but they and Garzon have turned the corner in a big way. The third-year guard is back above 40% from deep and has improved at the line from 66.0% in 23-24 up to 94.9%.
20.) Gracie Merkle, Penn State — 16.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.3 APG
Merkle averages 16 and 9 in 23 minutes per game, making her a Top 15 scorer and rebounder in the country per 40 minutes. Penn State has areas to improve, but Merkle’s output is a fantastic starting point to build around moving forward.
21.) Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA — 10.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
Her numbers don’t fly off the page, but Jaquez has been as good in her role as just about anyone. She shoots 55.7% from the field and boasts a 2.92 assist-to-turnover ratio. Those add up to the third-best offensive rating (139.1) in the country.
22.) Chance Gray, Ohio State — 14.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.9 APG
Another player on an undefeated team playing their role brilliantly. Gray has come over from Oregon and been the knockdown shooter and more that the Buckeyes desperately needed.
23.) Destiny Adams, Rutgers — 17.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.4 APG
Adams has continued her dominant ways from last season, averaging a double-double for a Rutgers team trying to break through. The Scarlet Knights feel closer to doing that, largely thanks to Adams’ consistency.
24.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — 12.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.6 APG
It hasn’t been the breakout start that felt possible, but Stuelke has continued to grow her game and is still putting up real solid production for the Hawkeyes.
25.) Elle Ladine, Washington — 15.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
Ladine is one of Washington’s core veterans, and she is playing with a lot of confidence and scoring a whole lot of points. She just continues to get better each season for the Huskies.
26.) Rayah Marshall, USC — 7.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.7 APG
The unsung hero of the Trojans so far. Marshall shoots less than seven times a game, but makes her presence felt one the offensive glass (2.6 oRPG) and as a defensive stalwart inside (2.2 BPG).
27.) Saylor Poffenbarger, Maryland — 9.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.1 APG
One of the key changes to Maryland this season has been its dominance on the glass, which is exactly what Poffenbarger provides. Along with it, she can space the floor and is often in the right places at the right times.
28.) Kiyomi McMiller, Rutgers — 20.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.1 APG
Statistically, McMiller has a great case for Freshman of the Year thanks to one of the greenest lights in the country. She needs to work on other areas of her game, but her scoring is something to behold with her unbelievable combination of dribble moves and shooting ability.
29.) Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State — 13.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.9 APG
The Oregon transfer has made a positive impact on the Spartans so far next to Ayrault, and it feels like there’s still another level for her to hit as she gets more comfortable.
30.) Adalia McKenzie, Illinois — 13.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.6 APG
McKenzie has continued to be a steady presence for the Illini without Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan available, only now she is getting to the line more (2.8 → 4.7 FTA) and hitting more of her free throws (73.7% → 80.0%) when she does get there.
31.) Grace Grocholski, Minnesota — 10.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
Grocholski is 12th in the Big Ten in win shares with numbers that look extremely similar to what she put up as a freshman. Why? Because she has been a big part of the Gophers’ defensive prowess, where she has gone from a liability (96.8 defensive rating) to a standout (76.7) in just one season.
32.) Britt Prince, Nebraska — 13.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG
Another remarkable freshman in a remarkable class. Prince has been Markowski’s co-star since Potts went down, and has risen to the challenge excellently. She’s had a really well-rounded start to her college career, and seems to be Nebraska’s next star point guard.
33.) Deja Kelly, Oregon — 10.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.7 APG
Oregon spreads out the scoring to such a significant degree, it was hard to figure out who to honor. Kelly stands out the most despite her struggles from three, primarily because she has improved her assist totals while also cutting out more than a turnover per game.
34.) Angela Dugalič, UCLA — 9.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
UCLA’s whole roster is stacked with players dominating in their roles, but Dugalič simply had to make this list. She currently possesses a 50/40/90 with nearly two steals and a block per game.
35.) Bri McDaniel, Maryland — 10.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.4 APG
A leader in the clubhouse for Sixth Player of the Year. McDaniel has been Maryland’s spark plug and has thrived in the role. She’s become much more dependable on interior looks as well, improving her two-point accuracy by nearly 15 percentage points from last season.
36.) Destini Lombard, Purdue — 12.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.4 APG
The Stephen F. Austin transfer deserves her flowers for what has been a great season despite Purdue’s struggles. Lombard, a career sub-30% three shooter, is shooting 41.8% from deep and has 2.5 steals per contest.
37.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — 9.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.0 APG
Moore-McNeil’s shooting efficiency is a large cause for her drop in the list, but she also has not upped her volume in the ways I anticipated. She still remains one of the Big Ten’s elite perimeter defenders and is one of the best turnover-averse playmaking guards in the country.
38.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — 14.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.9 APG
Bryant’s shooting has dipped this year, specifically from inside the arc, but defenses are also able to turn more of their attention to her than before. Bryant also remains a solid playmaker and is getting to the line at significant rates to make up for it.
39.) Taylor Williams, Northwestern — 10.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.1 APG
Williams is making a real impact on her third team, averaging nearly a double double on career high shooting efficiency and assists per game. Her scoring has been more consistent as of late and it could help the Wildcats pull some upsets during Big Ten play.
40.) Amaya Battle, Minnesota — 9.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.2 APG
Battle has remained a fringe Top 40 player on these lists for the past few seasons, and she makes the cut here thanks to her large strides at avoiding turnovers. She’s also up to 37.7% as a three-point shooter and continues to improve as a player every season.
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