Hoopla 40: 2024-25 Preseason Rankings
The 40 best players in the Big Ten going into the season, based on my vibes really
We’ve waited many months. We’ve endured my yapping without real games to talk about for long enough. College basketball is BACK today and I’m celebrating that by bringing you my favorite post of them all, The Hoopla 40.
Games to Watch for Each Team:
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 preseason ranking, it is focused a lot more on what I am projecting out of players and who I believe will be the best players in the Big Ten for the season to come.
2023-24 End-of-Season Hoopla 40
Because this is more of a projection list, these rankings are not fully based on what we have seen from players in the past, and that leaves a little more up in the air for me to take some swings, so if a player seems too high or too low, it’s probably because I’m taking one of those swings.
Also of note: Any player on a current Big Ten roster is eligible for this list. That includes new transfers, freshmen and players coming in with injuries (as long as they are expected to play this season).
With 18 teams to choose from this time, this list felt beyond stacked with options, so I apologize ahead of time if it feels like a player is missing. If you feel like I left a player off that deserved a spot, if you disagree with a placement or if you think everything was perfect and want to let me know that, I would love to talk rankings in the comments! I am not the all-seeing eye so I am open to being wrong!!
Here it is, my Preseason Hoopla 40 to kick off the 2024-25 season. Comments and stats on each player are listed below:
Just missed the cut: Amaya Battle (Minnesota); Shay Ciezki (Indiana); Melannie Daley (Northwestern); Chance Gray (Ohio State); Deja Kelly (Oregon); Adalia McKenzie (Illinois); Gracie Merkle (Penn State); Ronnie Porter (Wisconsin)
1.) JuJu Watkins, USC — 27.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG
The unquestioned No. 1 to begin the season. Watkins was a force of nature as a true freshman and has all the weapons around her to continue to improve her game in Year Two.
2.) Kiki Iriafen, USC — 19.4 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.3 APG (T)
The largest transfer portal add in the country. Iriafen was one of the most valuable players in all of college basketball last season, and gives the Trojans the ultimate 1-2 punch.
3.) Lucy Olsen, Iowa — 23.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG (T)
Nobody can replicate Caitlin Clark, but Olsen will likely play a similar role for the Hawkeyes and should thrive in it. She’s a tremendous scorer with playmaking ability, and should be able to start the Jan Jensen era off on the right track.
4.) Lauren Betts, UCLA — 14.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.0 APG
A two-way interior force, Betts’ size and ability around the rim is going to wreak havoc in the Big Ten, and it still feels like she has plenty of room to grow her game further.
5.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 15.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.5 APG
If there are any sellers on Sellers, I’d like to buy that stock. The do-it-all guard will be asked to carry less of the weight of the Maryland attack, and I think the result of that will be a career year in efficiency and overall level of play for someone who should ultimately be in the WNBA Draft.
6.) Kiki Rice, UCLA — 13.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.5 APG
This feels like the year for Rice to erupt. Without Charisma Osborne, Rice has the opportunity to show what the five-star buzz was about even more than she has already. If she can take on more initiative for the Bruins, she could join Betts in some All-American talks.
7.) Serah Williams, Wisconsin — 17.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 0.9 APG
It was a truly unbelievable growing season for Serah Williams in 23-24, the blossoming of a superstar in the making. If she can continue on that path, the Badgers may be able to make some waves in this loaded conference
8.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — 10.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 5.0 APG
Here’s one of those shots I’m calling. Moore-McNeil has been as rock solid as anyone could ask at playing her role for the Hoosiers the past few seasons. Without Mackenzie Holmes, I think there’s a real opportunity for CMM to break out the volume across the board. If she has multiple triple-doubles and an All-Defense level season, which feels very possible, that’s a Top 10 player in my book.
9.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 15.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.3 APG
Markowski is now the clear No. 1 in Nebraska, and she showed great signs of growing her game late last season when the Cornhuskers started to play their best basketball. The continue playmaking growth with her already impressive scoring touch would keep Markowski among the conference’s best bigs.
10.) Julia Ayrault, Michigan State — 15.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.3 APG
Ayrault was a revelation under Robyn Fralick, and she did so playing mostly out of position. With some nice portal adds, Ayrault should continue to thrive with the Spartans in a role that may be even more comfortable for her.
11.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — 14.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.2 APG
Last year was more of a sidestep than the leap forward I was hoping to see from McMahon, but now Ohio State will be more reliant on what she brings to the table. I have seen plenty of flashes that say McMahon is capable of that burden, and if she puts it all together this season, ranking her outside of the Top 10 is going to be the biggest error I make.
12.) Mara Braun, Minnesota — 17.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG
Braun was a top five player in the conference for large stretches of last season, then an injury derailed her sophomore campaign. Braun made huge strides as a passer, defender and scorer, and as the efficiency goes up, so does her already-sky-high ceiling.
13.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — 14.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.2 APG
Big, big year ahead for Hannah Stuelke. She was great for the Hawkeyes in her first year as a starter and had some massive showings that showed what it could look like if Stuelke is at her very best. Olsen’s arrival tells me she will be in a similar role to last year, but I expect her to take much more of the burden offensively than in years past.
14.) Makira Cook, Illinois — 16.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 4.4 APG
The Makira Cook that helped the Illini win the WBIT is the one I am hoping to see this season. She was unstoppable in that tournament and is an extremely dynamic scorer that truly tips the scales on what the team can be on any given night.
15.) Talia von Oelhoffen, USC — 10.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.0 APG (T)
Watkins and Iriafen is an unbelievable scoring duo, but having von Oelhoffen as the point guard is going to make it that much more unbelievable. She was a terrific passer at Oregon State and is going to get plenty more open looks with the amount of terror that will be created by her teammates.
16.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — 11.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.5 APG
Thierry is already a star without having significant usage. She is an all-level scorer, a good rebounder and a player that can defend about any position. If the usage goes up and the efficiency stays even close to the same? That’s one of the best players in the nation.
17.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — 11.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG
Garzon is ready to take on a larger role in the offense and now is that time. She’s one of the country’s best three-point shooters and has had a knack for hitting the big shots when Indiana needed them. This team feels likely to fire away from deep with the roster construction, and that’s great news for Garson’s development.
18.) Natalie Potts, Nebraska — 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.8 APG
I have a lot of confidence that Potts is going to be a special player. She was the best freshman in the Big Ten last year if I had a vote, and she plays with real poise that made her feel wise beyond her years. Nebraska will need the interior to be dominant, and Potts has me believing that will be the case.
19.) Janiah Barker, UCLA — 12.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 APG (T)
Of UCLA’s offseason acquisitions, Barker feels like she has the most buzz. She was a terrific player at Texas A&M, and that SEC experience should translate very well into the Big Ten. Having Betts, Rice and the outrageously deep UCLA roster should free some things up as well, I’d imagine.
20.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — 12.1 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.7 APG
Bostic has been one of the Big Ten’s best bigs for multiple seasons now, and is about to face some heavy hitters with the new teams. That being said, I expect Bostic to remain a big player, as she has improved every season and has become a foundational piece for Illinois’ game plan.
21.) Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State — 15.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.6 APG (T)
VanSlooten put up some big numbers on an Oregon team that struggled mightily, but she proved she absolutely has the capabilities of being a big-time player. She will get that chance on a blossoming Spartans team that loves to play free-flowing basketball.
22.) Kaylene Smikle, Maryland — 16.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.5 APG (T)
The Rutgers transfer showed so, so much to be excited about in her first two seasons, and has already been dominant across some Maryland exhibitions. There are so many transfers to be excited about on the Terps, but Smikle is the No. 1 player I’m watching for among them.
23.) Phillipina Kyei, Oregon — 12.6 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.9 APG
Oregon’s futility overshadowed how much good Kyei was doing last season. There are reinforcements all around her, but I expect Kyei to continue to find ways to lead this team once she gets back from her injury.
24.) Dalayah Daniels, Washington — 11.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.6 APG
Washington is going to be a fascinating watch in the Big Ten, but they are also a very cohesive unit and Daniels is at the head of that spear. With Lauren Schwartz gone, I’m expecting a sizable leap for Daniels in her senior season.
25.) Rayah Marshall, USC — 10.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
Marshall has some new company at forward, but should still be expected to do big things for this USC team. She has already thrived plenty next to Watkins and, alongside Iriafen, should make the Trojans one of the best rebounding teams in the country.
26.) Sydney Parrish, Indiana — 10.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG
The ultimate energizer for the Hoosiers ever since she arrived, Parrish is the third in the trio of returning guards I expect to make some big waves. She’s a great defender with her size and has been another lights-out shooter for Teri Moren to utilize.
27.) Bri McDaniel, Maryland — 12.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.8 APG
Similarly to Parrish, McDaniel is an elite spark plug with solid three-point shooting and a relentless motor. I think she will be involved a little less than last year just because of the roster around her, but I still expect plenty of highlight moments from one of the Big Ten’s most exciting players.
28.) Sydney Affolter, Iowa — 8.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
Affolter is not likely to play until later this month, but when she is ready, she’s going to be a difference maker. Affolter was HUGE in Iowa’s late-season run on both ends of the floor and should be a great complementary piece to work with Olsen.
29.) Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State — Five-star, No. 2 overall via ESPN (F)
The first freshman on the list goes to the highest-rated one in the Big Ten. Cambridge is a special, special talent, and Ohio State has a hole at point guard. It might not happen immediately, but at some point this year, I expect Cambridge to show us plenty of reasons why she was rated as highly as she was.
30.) Elisa Mevius, Oregon — 12.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.1 APG (T)
Mevius finished an exhibition game with 18 points and 11 steals on 9/10 shooting. She averaged 4.5 steals per game at Siena. She played on Germany’s 3x3 Olympic team that won gold. Considering all that Oregon brought in, it might be a hot take to have Mevius as the top-ranked transfer, but it’s just how I feel. She is going to be a problem for Big Ten teams.
31.) Timea Gardiner, UCLA — 11.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.4 APG (T)
I’m not going to have the answers on UCLA’s rotation, but Betts, Barker and Gardiner are all such weapons that I’m including all of them in this list. Gardiner gives the Bruins a great stretch forward option who is still more-than-capable on the glass, and I think that’s going to be a game-changer for what this team can do.
32.) Destiny Adams, Rutgers — 15.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.8 APG
Adams is an extremely unique player as a wing who primarily dominates inside, but she showed what her capabilities in a monstrous 31-point, 24-rebound effort in the Big Ten Tournament. Rutgers will need big things out of Adams to improve in 24-25, and another year in the system for the North Carolina transfer could lead to it.
33.) Syla Swords, Michigan — Five-star, No. 4 overall via ESPN (F)
Swords has the opportunity to really get the ball rolling for what should be the Michigan team of the future. She was not only on Team Canada’s Olympic roster, but was a rotation player for them. As a reminder, she has not played a college basketball game yet. I think she’s going to be very ready for the heavy volume as a true freshman, and could battle Cambridge for the Freshman of the Year honor.
34.) Theryn Hallock, Michigan State — 11.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.6 APG
Big Ten’s Sixth Player of the Year last season was a great scorer, but also an extremely capable defender who fit like a glove in Fralick’s play style. Hallock may jump to the starting five this season, but regardless, she is going to be a big-time scoring threat for the Spartans who should benefit from the addition of VanSlooten.
35.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — 14.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.2 APG
Bryant has stayed pretty consistent for the Illini and, with Cook, has given Shauna Green an explosive 1-2 punch in the backcourt. Cook will be the higher volume player, but Bryant should continue to be a big player for them as long as the threes are falling and the passes are flying.
36.) Grace Grocholski, Minnesota — 10.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 APG
I’m thinking that Grocholski learned a lot in her freshman season. She was able to play with Braun and figure out her role, and was then tasked with taking on a larger burden once Braun was out. While the latter led to some inefficiency, I think it was valuable in her growing into a more complete product in Year Two.
37.) Carter McCray, Wisconsin — 15.9 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.7 APG (T)
McCray was unbelievable as a freshman at Northern Kentucky, and will now join Williams to make quite a loaded frontcourt for the Badgers. The fit and chemistry between those two is essential for anything Wisconsin wants to do this year, but the talent is undeniable immediately.
38.) Jordan Hobbs, Michigan — 9.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
Not a whole lot returns from last year’s Michigan team, but Hobbs coming back is a BIG deal to me. This season will see Kim Barnes Arico rely on a lot of youth, so having Hobbs, an extremely steady shooter with great playmaking and three years of experience in the system, will only make things easier.
39.) Rashunda Jones, Purdue — 7.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.7 APG
I saw enough flashes of the player Jones can become to believe she deserves to make this list. Purdue saw a whole regime of vets depart this offseason, so it’s up to Katie Geralds and players like Jones to pick up the pieces. There should be room for Jones to develop, and hopefully blossom, in her sophomore season.
40.) Kiyomi McMiller, Rutgers — Five-star, No. 27 overall via ESPN (F)
Ending this list on a freshman who is going to have all the opportunities to prove herself. McMiller joins a Rutgers team that has been stuck toward the bottom, and as a player used to averaging 30+ PPG, I anticipate seeing plenty of what McMiller can do early and often.
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