Top 3 women's college basketball teams poised to win the Big 10 championship tournament
The 2025 TIAA Big 10 Championship tournament will take place at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse from March 5 to 9. The event will witness both the men's (March 12 to 16) and women's basketball teams participating.
Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington have been added to the Big 10 Conference this year. Out of the 18 teams in the conference, 15 teams will qualify for the championship tournament.
Iowa Hawkeyes led by Caitlin Clark won the tournament three times in a row. In 2024, the Iowa Hawkeyes secured a 94-89 victory over Nebraska to clinch the Big 10 conference championship.
But the Big 10 conference looks much different with the addition of new teams and the departure of players like Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, and Gabbie Marshall. Here are the 3 women's basketball teams that are poised to clinch the Big 10 conference championship.
3 women's college basketball teams poised to win the Big 10 championship tournament
#3. Iowa Hawkeyes
Despite Caitlin Clark's departure, former coach Lisa Bluder tried her best to maintain the strength of the roster. She roped in Lucy Olsen, the third-highest scorer after Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins last year.
Though Olsen has been candid that she can't fill the void left by Clark, her abilities on offense will serve as an asset for first-year head coach Jan Jensen. Last season, Olsen averaged 23.3 points and shot 43.8 % from the field for Villanova.
Olsen will get strong support from Hannah Stuelke who averaged 14 points last season and dropped 47 points in the game against Penn State on February 8.
Hawkeyes fans can pin their hopes on Sydney Affolter too. She averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Sydney shot 55.2 from the field and 41.4 from the 3-point range.
#2. UCLA
UCLA will heavily rely on Lauren Betts for their aspirations in upcoming championships. Lauren averaged 14.9 points and shot 64.3 from the field last season.
Kiki Rice is another reason for the high hopes of UCLA fans. The guard averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 34 games last year.
Guard Londynn Jones' three-point shooting abilities will also make UCLA a formidable unit to face. She averaged 11.8 points per game last season while making 36.6% of her attempts from three.
#1. USC
JuJu Watkins was the second-leading scorer in the NCAA tournament last season and the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Her razor-sharp abilities on offense and leadership will make USC a force to be reckoned with. Last season, she put up 27.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 34 games.
She will be joined by Kiki Iriafen who had a breakout year last season. Iriafen committed to USC this after averaging 19.4 points and 11 rebounds, in the 36 games played for Standford in the 2023-24 season.
Two-time All-Pac 12 guard Talia Von Oelhoffen will also strengthen the ranks of USC. Under the mentorship of Lindsay Gottlieb, USC has almost everything it takes to win the Big 10 conference championship.
Who do you think will win the Big 10 conference championship? let us know in the comments section below.