Introducing The Hoopla 40
My picks for the top 40 Big Ten women's basketball players heading into the 2022-23 season
Big Ten women’s basketball begins in just two weeks, and even though I’ve already given my top 10, so let’s just stretch that out to 40 players for fun.
Here is what will hopefully becoming something I do three times a season from this point forward: The Hoopla 40. This is a completely subjective list of what I think are the 40 best players in the Big Ten. I based these on things like last year’s win shares, typical box score stats, fits into teams and, sometimes, players I think could simply have a big season this year.
Incoming transfers and freshmen are also fair game to be on this list if I think they will immediately be a top 40 player.
Feel free to disagree with me and leave a reply: This is a one-man show over here and odds are there are some players deserving that I left off. But, after looking through all the rosters again and based on what I’ve seen, this is the 40 I have come up with:
**Stats listed are from the 2021-22 season**
1.) Caitlin Clark, Iowa — 27.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 8.0 APG
Last year’s Big Ten Player of the Year and this year’s preseason player of the year is the easy pick for preseason No. 1.
2.) Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana — 15.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 0.6 APG
Injuries slowed down what looked to be an All-American campaign for Holmes, but she should thrive in this revamped Hoosiers roster.
3.) Monika Czinano, Iowa — 21.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.0 APG
Arguably the nation’s best interior scorer, Czinano and Clark make up an unstoppable duo that should only continue to thrive in year three together.
4.) Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State — 19.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.2 APG
Sheldon has gotten better every season and should do the same once again after returning to a more comfortable spot in the offense where she can play off the ball.
5.) Grace Berger, Indiana — 16.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.7 APG
Berger’s exceptional ability in the midrange and as an all-around threat should only become more valuable with more shooters brought into the lineup.
6.) Jaz Shelley, Nebraska — 13.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.0 APG
Shelley was everything to Nebraska last year as one of the conference’s best shooters, passers and defenders. With no Sam Haiby, she will have to do that and more again this season.
7.) Taylor Mikesell, Ohio State — 18.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 APG
Shooting 47.5 percent from three on 7.5 attempts a game is truly unbelievable. If Mikesell gets even close to that again, she will have earned this ranking.
8.) Makenna Marisa, Penn State — 22.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.2 APG
Marisa is as good as it gets on offense and appears to have more help than ever on the roster this season. That could unlock something truly special in her game.
9.) Leigha Brown, Michigan — 14.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.4 APG
Brown was excellent as a second option next to Naz Hillmon and now gets the chance to be No. 1 for the Wolverines, something she’s absolutely capable of being.
10.) Sara Scalia, Indiana — 17.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.9 APG (Minnesota)
Scalia was all Minnesota had last year and she still shot 41.3 percent from deep. Indiana has far more threats, and it could lead to Scalia having a monstrous fourth season.
11.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 12.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 0.5 APG
Big Ten’s reigning Freshman of the Year just needs to make a tiny jump to get into the top 10 in year two. Making half her threes again would probably make that happen.
12.) Diamond Miller, Maryland — 13.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.8 APG
If Miller returns to 2020-21 form (17.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 50.6 FG%), I am going to look like a fool leaving her out of the top 10.
13.) Emily Kiser, Michigan — 9.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.8 APG
Nobody can replace Hillmon, but Kiser also never got the credit she deserved for her efforts last season, especially on defense. She will get that chance this season.
14.) McKenna Warnock, Iowa — 11.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.8 APG
Warnock is essential to Iowa’s success as one of the most reliable third scoring options in the country. To shoot 40+ percent from three all three seasons deserves more praise than she’s given.
15.) Maddie Nolan, Michigan — 8.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.9 APG
Nolan was basically the only player on Michigan making threes last season. Teams knew that, and she still hit on 40.5 percent of them. Add that to her great perimeter D, and she’s the ideal two-way player to have in the lineup.
16.) Abby Meyers, Maryland — 17.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.6 APG (Princeton)
The first newcomer to the conference comes with big expectations after what she did at Princeton. Maryland needs her to make similar contributions with the level of roster turnover.
17.) Madison Greene, Ohio State — DNP (injury)
Greene’s return allows Sheldon and Mikesell to work more freely off the ball, and that could create one of the best offenses in the nation. She is also a terrific point guard in her own right who can score at will when called upon.
18.) Courtney Shaw, Northwestern — 8.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 0.8 APG
Shaw is one of the key players who will need to step up without Veronica Burton. She’s a terrific scorer in the paint, and the offense may work around that this season.
19.) Isabelle Bourne, Nebraska — 11.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 APG
Bourne is a terrific shooter (51.5 FG%, 37.1 3PT%) who helped turn Nebraska’s offense into a juggernaut last season. This team thrived on spreading the ball around, a lot in thanks to Bourne’s consistency.
20.) Abbey Ellis, Purdue — 11.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
The Cal Poly transfer was quietly excellent in her first season with the Boilermakers. Another year in the conference under Katie Geralds’ system could lead to a breakout campaign.
21.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 7.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG
A really solid freshman season, Sellers stepped up as Maryland dealt with consistent injuries in its backcourt. The Terps have brought in loads of veteran talent, but Sellers was good enough to stay firmly in the rotation regardless.
22.) Matilda Ekh, Michigan State — 11.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 APG
Ekh came out firing as a true freshman, hitting 39.4 percent of her threes on 5.8 attempts per game. With Nia Clouden gone, the Spartans need that to continue in year two.
23.) Rikki Harris, Ohio State — 7.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.5 APG
The former five-star prospect battled injuries for years, but looked excellent in her first full season. She is a solid piece to the offense, but specifically shines defensively, something the Buckeyes desperately needed.
24.) Taiyier Parks, Michigan State — 8.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 0.8 APG
Parks was an excellent complementary piece for the Spartans last season and was great on defense. Her interior scoring will be crucial for this team without Clouden.
25.) Laila Phelia, Michigan — 8.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG
Phelia looked like a future star in bursts as a freshman and always saved her best performances for the largest stages. She might end up far higher than 25 by the end of the season.
26.) Sydney Parrish, Indiana — 8.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.0 APG (Oregon)
A former top 10 prospect who started all 31 games for Oregon is coming back home to Indiana. This feels like a home run get, and Parrish’s numbers should see a big lift.
27.) Madison Layden, Purdue — 11.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG
Though her numbers improved as a sophomore, Layden lost her impressive efficiency marks she put up as a freshman. If those come back in year three, she could be the focal point of a very good Purdue core.
28.) Allison Weidner, Nebraska — 7.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.2 APG
Weidner was more of a role player last season, but with no Haiby, she could see a big minutes increase as a sophomore. Her potential was already clear in year one.
29.) Kate Martin, Iowa — 7.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.5 APG
Another rock solid member of this Hawkeyes starting five. Martin is a great secondary facilitator, averaged over a steal per game and is another threat for the offense to utilize.
30.) Leilani Kapinus, Penn State — 9.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 APG
Kapinus’ first year with the Nittany Lions showed a ton of promise. Penn State added some names in the portal, but Kapinus is likely to be a key option next to Marisa once again.
31.) Sydney Wood, Northwestern — 3.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.8 APG
Wood played just four games last season but was a primary scorer (10.8 PPG) and an excellent defender (2.6 SPG) in 2020-21. Her return, along with Shaw’s, was pivotal for the Wildcats staying a NCAA Tournament contender.
32.) DeeDee Hagemann, Michigan State — 7.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.3 APG
Hagemann, at times, looked like a future star. She also often looked like a freshman (32.8 FG%, 3.0 TPG). It’s safe to assume improvement in both those spots, and few players in this conference hold a higher ceiling.
33.) Lavender Briggs, Maryland — 12.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.6 APG (Florida)
Briggs left the Gators and joined the Terrapins in the middle of last season while recovering from an injury, and that added time to get accustomed to the team could make her an immediate threat.
34.) Jeanae Terry, Purdue — 7.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.7 APG
A true triple-double threat, Terry entered the portal before ultimately deciding to stay in West Lafayette for another season. Her passing ability is a key for the flow of Geralds’ offense.
35.) Avery LaBarbera, Wisconsin — 16.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.1 APG (Holy Cross)
LaBarbera comes to Madison with over 100 collegiate starts and as the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year. She should be a major contributor from day one.
36.) Molly Davis, Iowa — 18.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.7 APG (Central Michigan)
Davis was the star at Central Michigan, and will now be a major piece of Iowa’s rotation. That could improve her efficiency dramatically. If that happens, watch out.
37.) Taniyah Thompson, Penn State — 18.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.2 APG (East Carolina)
I have high hopes for Penn State improving, and Thompson is a big part in that. She gives the Lions another option on offense, and could thrive with Marisa and Kapinus alongside her.
38.) Sydney Hilliard, Wisconsin — 12.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.8 APG
Hilliard played just 18 games after an excellent sophomore campaign (15.5 PPG). Wisconsin appears to be on the rise, and getting Hilliard back to full strength could make this team dangerous to play.
39.) Caitlyn Harper, Purdue — 17.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.3 APG (California Baptist)
Geralds’ offense has so many options this season, and Harper should be a major one. Adjustments to the Big Ten aside, she is an efficient scorer from inside the arc and could thrive in Purdue’s free-flowing offense.
40.) Jillian Brown, Northwestern — 8.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.0 APG
Brown got plenty of action in her first year, and like many freshmen, showed promise but was not efficient (33.3 FG%). No Burton leaves room for a new star at guard, and Brown might be the lead option to fill that void.
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