What To Watch: Opening Week
The game to watch for all *18* Big Ten women's basketball teams
Hello on a rare Thursday!
With Team Previews done and games a mere four days away, I am here to list some matchups I am looking forward to in that first week of games. Specifically, I’m picking one game per team, which in our new world still feels like a whole lot. I’m excited!
Also, I'm using Bart Torvik’s preseason rankings, which are new to this season. Bart Torvik has been a favorite of mine to use for March Madness brackets on the men’s side, so I’m real excited to see some of those numbers for women’s basketball as well.
Hoopla 40 still coming Monday, then HOOPS.
Illinois (32 on Bart Torvik) vs. Florida State (11), Nov. 7, B1G+
The Illini come out the gates with a big-time first matchup. The Seminoles won 23 games last year and were terrific offensively. The Ta’Niya Latson-Makayla Timpson duo should give Illinois plenty to deal with at home.
Indiana (20) vs. Harvard (85), Nov. 7, B1G+
It’s back-to-back Ivy League matchups for the Hoosiers to start the season, both of which should be lopsided wins. Harmoni Turner (19.3 PPG) and sharpshooter Katie Krupa (43.1 3PT%) give the Crimson some firepower to potentially make it interesting.
Iowa (25) vs. Virginia Tech (58), Nov. 10, ESPN2
The Hawkeyes and Hokies will meet in Charlotte for the second-straight season, and I will be in attendance for it once again! The rosters couldn’t feel more different after both teams went through the loss of big-time stars and their head coaches. While that makes for a less star-studded event, this is now going to be such a fun test-out game for both teams against solid competition.
Maryland (14) vs. Duke (10), Nov. 10, FS1
Likely the best game of the week. The Terps are back and have a loaded roster that may need some time to fully get in sync. Unfortunately for them, they will get one of their toughest defensive tests almost immediately. Duke can put teams in the trash compactor, making this an excellent strength vs. strength battle that feels like it can go either way.
Michigan (38) vs. South Carolina (1), Nov. 4, TNT
Michigan is a very young team this year with a whole lot to be excited about. Going up against the reigning undefeated national champs will likely not go “well,” but could show us a lot about how these talented freshmen can handle a high-intensity situation.
Michigan State (24) vs. Oakland (277), Nov. 5, B1G+
It’s a pretty easy start for the Spartans, but I am still intrigued to see how they do in their opener to Oakland. I saw that Michigan State went with Emma Shumate as a starter in preseason, and I really just want to see how all the new pieces are clicking for a team that was such a fun ride last season.
Minnesota (42) vs. Vermont (137), Nov. 8, B1G+
Minnesota should be able to handle Vermont, but don’t count out the Catamounts’ ability to potentially make the Gophers battle for this one. Last year was Vermont’s third straight season with 20+ wins and they love to play SLOOOOOOW, as in like the slowest pace in all of Division I.
Nebraska (34) vs. Southeast Louisiana (148), Nov. 9, B1G+
After a 1-7 start to last season, Southeast Louisiana won 15 of its final 20 games. The Cornhuskers are deep and shouldn’t be overly tested in the first week, but the Lions do come in with some strong 23-24 momentum.
Northwestern (135) vs. Illinois State (142), Nov. 6, B1G+
I am keeping my eyes wide open for this matchup on Wednesday. The Wildcats had a very tough campaign, and the Redbirds went 21-12 with some really fun looks on offense. Northwestern needs to prove it can beat a team like this for some early positive vibes, but Illinois State is absolutely capable of pulling an upset here.
Ohio State (15) vs. Cleveland State (74), Nov. 5, B1G+
Sometimes choosing a game is easy! Ohio State has only one matchup in the first week, but the Vikings are not one to take lightly. Cleveland State has won 59 combined games over the past two seasons and were a Top 20 team in three-point percentage. If the shots start falling, the Buckeyes may face more of a scare than anticipated.
Oregon (33) vs. Baylor (9), Nov. 10, BTN
Not to disagree with Mr. Torvik, but Oregon is getting some generous grace after an abysmal 2023-24. The roster looks a lot different, but it gets thrown into the fire early here against Baylor. That said, this game is at home, and would be a huge opportunity to show that last year was the fluke.
Penn State (46) vs. Duquesne (134), Nov. 10, B1G+
Penn State is not a team I rated highly in previews, which means a matchup against Duquesne feels like a larger deal to me. The Dukes were not afraid to shoot the three-ball last year, finishing Top 25 nationally in makes and attempts. Penn State is going to need major contributions from new faces to stay at the level of last season, and I’d like to see that in this matchup.
Purdue (61) vs. Notre Dame (3), Nov. 10, FS1
Purdue is getting one of the best teams in the country at home, and like Michigan, I really just want to see how they fare in a situation like that. It would be specifically promising to see Purdue’s defense be able to contain the likes of a Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles or Sonia Citron, even if it’s only for a limited amount of time.
Rutgers (100) vs. Manhattan (228), Nov. 4, B1G+
The Scarlet Knights get a trio of winnable games in the first week, and the first may be the most difficult. This will be our first look at five-star Kiyomi McMiller as well, which means I’m hoping for some fireworks.
UCLA (5) vs. Louisville (39), Nov. 4, ESPN2
The Big Ten’s top-ranked team in Bart Torvik gets an intriguing Day 1 matchup against the Cardinals, who don’t quite feel at full power compared to previous seasons but are still a plenty formidable foe. Olivia Cochran and Nyla Harris are a solid tandem, and while I anticipate a UCLA victory, it’s still a more-than-solid test to see just how good the Bruins can be.
USC (7) vs. Ole Miss (21), Nov. 4, ESPN
Hoopla’s No. 1 team is also getting a big test, and will be the first team to play on Monday. Ole Miss plays a suffocating defense that will put this new superstar lineup through it, and I will be watching to see if the Trojans can simply use their stars to get past that or if there will be some growing pains.
Washington (22) vs. Pacific (140), Nov. 7, B1G+
Washington feels like such a Big Ten wild card. Their pace doesn’t match the conference, but Bart Torvik clearly sees something in this roster, likely because of all the returning talent. That makes Pacific — a team with a Top 30 pace nationally — a fun one to look out for. If the Huskies handle that pace with no issue, maybe that’s a good sign for things to come.
Wisconsin (98) vs. Georgetown (95), Nov. 10, B1G+
Finally, the Badgers get what is, according to these preseason rankings, the most even matchup of the bunch. The Hoyas won 23 games and allowed 55.1 PPG last season, partially in thanks to playing a bottom-10 pace. I have high hopes for this Badgers team to show some battle in the middle of the Big Ten, and Georgetown feels like an excellent comparison to that type of quality, at least early on in the season.
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