First-Round Games
No. 8 Illinois (14-12, 7-9) vs. No. 9 Michigan (16-11, 6-10)
This will be an evenly matched contest featuring two of the best post players in the Big Ten. Michigan center LeeAnn Bies will battle with Illinois center Iveta Marcauskaite. The game could be a high-scoring affair because both teams do a better job scoring than defending.
No. 7 Ohio State (13-14, 8-8) vs. No. 10 Michigan State (16-11, 6-10)
This is a rematch of last year’s first-round game, which Ohio State won 52-48. Both of these teams have been in the middle of the pack all year and are hoping to sneak into the NCAA Tournament.
No. 6 Wisconsin (17-10, 8-8) vs. No. 11 Northwestern (4-23, 0-16)
This is a game between two struggling teams. The Wildcats are looking to upset one of the Big Ten’s most talented and underachieving teams. Wisconsin has two All-Big Ten stars in Tamara Moore and Jessie Stomski. But the Badgers have won only one game in their last 10 outings. Northwestern didn’t win a conference game for the second straight year.
Quarterfinal
No. 4 Iowa (17-9, 10-6) vs. No. 5 Indiana (14-13, 8-8)
This quartefinal matchup will be a battle down low. Indiana has one of the best defenses in the conference, and Iowa is the Big Ten’s top rebounding team. The Hoosiers will rely on All-Big Ten center Jill Chapman to score inside, while sophomore Jennie Lillis will provide a threat for Iowa at the forward position. The game features two of the Big Ten’s best guards with Indiana senior Heather Cassady going against Iowa senior Lindsey Meder.
First-Round Byes
No. 1 Purdue (22-4, 13-3)
The most dominating team in the Big Ten all season is the clear-cut tournament favorite. Senior guard Kelly Komara, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, heads the conference’s best defense. On offense, Shereka Wright and her 19.9 points per game give the Boilmakers a reliable scorer. Purdue should have no problem handling the winner of the Illinois-Michigan game.
No. 2 Penn State (19-10, 11-5)
Penn State has the conference’s best backcourt. Sophomore Kelly Mazzante led the conference in scoring with 25.1 points per game, and she is the most dangerous offensive player in the tournament. Complementing Mazzante is freshman point guard Jess Strom, who orchestrates the Lady Lions’ up-tempo offense. Strom finished second in the Big Ten in assists.
No. 3 Minnesota (21-6, 11-5)
The Golden Gophers were the biggest surprise in the Big Ten this year. Minnesota won just one conference game last year, but this year they rebounded with 11 league victories. Minnesota’s success did not go unnoticed. Sophomore guard Lindsay Whalen was named Player of the Year, Janel McCarville won the Freshman of the Year award, and first-year head coach Brenda Oldfield was voted Coach of the Year.
