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She may be closer to getting back on the court. I watched their game on Saturday and it looked like Holmes was dressed even though she didn't play.
Big Ten WBB
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The one seeds are "pretty well safe." Position could fluctuate but they should not drop out of the top 4. Louisville and nc state can both afford the loss to the other. Of course, snot happens but lets consider them safe.
After that, who knows what will happen? Who will be the best out of the Big 10 and Big 12? Whoever it is will end up a second seed for sure. That leaves two spots among the second seeds. I could see a second team from the Big 12; not so much for the Big 10. Arizona? They aren't really looking dominant, Uconn would have a shot but do you guys really want it? 3 seed in Bridgeport looks pretty good. Of course, your team is not gonna' slack off to get 3 rather than a 2. Tennessee could move back up to a 2 seed if they win out against everybody except SC.
It's a mess right now. Ain't it grand!
After that, who knows what will happen? Who will be the best out of the Big 10 and Big 12? Whoever it is will end up a second seed for sure. That leaves two spots among the second seeds. I could see a second team from the Big 12; not so much for the Big 10. Arizona? They aren't really looking dominant, Uconn would have a shot but do you guys really want it? 3 seed in Bridgeport looks pretty good. Of course, your team is not gonna' slack off to get 3 rather than a 2. Tennessee could move back up to a 2 seed if they win out against everybody except SC.
It's a mess right now. Ain't it grand!
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Plebe
La verdad no peca pero incomoda
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Quite the logjam at the top of the B10 standings:
Indiana 10-2
Michigan 11-3
Ohio State 11-3
Maryland 11-3
Iowa 10-4
It's actually Ohio State with the clearest path to a regular season title. They play at Maryland next but then finish against Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State.
Maryland has almost the toughest conference schedule possible; their remaining games are against Ohio State, Michigan and Indiana, each of whom they're facing for the second time.
Indiana plays Iowa back-to-back and then travels to Maryland.
Michigan finishes against Maryland, Michigan State and Iowa.
Indiana 10-2
Michigan 11-3
Ohio State 11-3
Maryland 11-3
Iowa 10-4
It's actually Ohio State with the clearest path to a regular season title. They play at Maryland next but then finish against Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State.
Maryland has almost the toughest conference schedule possible; their remaining games are against Ohio State, Michigan and Indiana, each of whom they're facing for the second time.
Indiana plays Iowa back-to-back and then travels to Maryland.
Michigan finishes against Maryland, Michigan State and Iowa.
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DefenseBB
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Maryland looked pretty good tonight even without Ashley Owuzu. Indiana looked very weak without Mackenzie Holmes and even when she comes back what kind of a game shape will she be in for back to back games against Iowa? And how long is Brown out as Michigan also looks vulnerable so I think Maryland has a good shot.
So yeah, OSU has the easiest path with the exception of Maryland so whoever wins this game is my guess as the #1 seed for the Big Ten Tourney.
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The way this season is going, it is going to be a wild race to the finish.
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The first half we saw the Terp team we saw last season. Their lack of depth sort of hurt them in the 2nd half. During their winning streak they have played excellent defense in the first have and they get tired in the 2nd.
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MD played well. I can see why they would tire as the starters logged some very long minutes. I still can't make up my mind about Brenda. I thought during the late Iowa run, and being on the road, and with key players with fouls, she should have used her timeouts better. And Diamond Miller is really good, but she seems indecisive or out of control at times. She had six turnovers. Benzan should get more looks. They are going to need her outside scoring. They pretty much shut down Clark who was pushing off like crazy and trying her best to flop her way to free throws. Glad the refs weren't having any of it.
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Wonder if CC is regretting her decision :|
Plebe
La verdad no peca pero incomoda
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Why would she regret her decision? Last year she got to play in the Sweet 16. Her other finalist (ND) missed the tournament entirely. Iowa might be falling short of expectations this season, but at least they aren't missing the tournament.
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Look at how good of a season her other finalist Iowa State is having though. Plus, she'd have help.
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Plebe
La verdad no peca pero incomoda
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And for that reason she has to regret her decision? Maybe she felt a stronger connection to the Iowa coaching staff and/or players. Maybe there were other things about the school or campus environment that she felt more drawn to. Just because her team isn't dominating doesn't mean she chose wrong.
This tendency on this board to speculate "I wonder if such-and-such regrets her choice of schools" is not attractive. Similar irresponsible speculation could just as easily be tossed out about some of UConn's players amid our struggles this season.
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CBus13
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Interesting that Ohio State could win the league even though they lost to Indiana (1x) and Michigan (2x) by ~20 and they only played seven games against the leagues top 6 teams (Indiana 1x, Michigan 2x, Maryland 2x, Iowa 1x, Nebraska 1x). Each of the other teams played 8 games against the top 6 minus Nebraska who only played 7, like Ohio State. Ohio State has the lowest SOS of the top 6 (86). Maryland plays the top 3 twice each. Iowa plays the top 2 twice and Ohio State only once.
I know it's just how things shake out but it is wild. One Big Ten Conference championship equals one year extension for McGuff's contract. Truly didn't see them even in this conversation this season. I stopped going to their games even.
Granted, this rambling may all be for naught because they could lose to Maryland. Not sure it would look so great f the team that wins the regular season also lost to one of the worst ACC schools.
I know it's just how things shake out but it is wild. One Big Ten Conference championship equals one year extension for McGuff's contract. Truly didn't see them even in this conversation this season. I stopped going to their games even.
Granted, this rambling may all be for naught because they could lose to Maryland. Not sure it would look so great f the team that wins the regular season also lost to one of the worst ACC schools.
Plebe
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In this era of oversized conferences and imbalanced schedules, this is a critical and often overlooked issue. Ohio State may very well "win" the regular season but I can guarantee the committee will be very aware that they had a much easier schedule than the other top teams in the Big Ten.
Even if they lose to Maryland in their next game, Ohio State could easily finish 3-1 in their last 4 games and take the regular season title.
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And don't forget the conference tournament. Tournament champs can often be considered better than the regular season champs.
Example: Last year, Tx A&M won the regular season SEC championship. SCar won the SEC tournament. SCar was a one seed, A&M was a two seed.
Bigboote
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Interesting stats from Iowa's and Indiana's games:
Iowa shot 41% from the field. Other than Clark, who took 25 of their 63 shots, they shot 50%.
Indiana shot 32% from the field. Other than Berger, who took 15 of 72 shots, they shot 25%.
interesting, I did not know Iowa st was recruiting her. I just knew she decided on Iowa over ND. That team with Joens and Clark oh baby that woulda been a ntl title contender. It's unfortunate that did not happen. Caitlin's brother also an Iowa St alum
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Maybe Notre Dame players regret their decision because they picked a program accustomed to Final 4's and didn't make the tournament? I'm not being serious but just wanted to prove Plebe's point of how it is foolish to say this every time a team loses.
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Yes it could have been, but considering how caustic the Joens sisters' father is, not sure if this would have been a good fit for 4 years.
Plebe
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This is a totally separate topic.
The conference regular season accounts at most for just over half of a team's resume as of selection day. So obviously, even with a perfectly balanced conference schedule, Team A can finish behind Team B in the conference standings and still be judged higher by the committee on the basis of its total body of work.
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agree, but not gonna happen.
bballnut90
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The biggest concern for me is her lack of range. She's essentially a 6-2 back to the basket bruising center without any proven jumpshot. Going up against athletic 6-5/6-6 centers every night in the W doesn't bode great for her IMO. She's definitely athletic enough but will need to expand her game.
DefenseBB
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All that aside, Kevin McGuff has done a pretty nice job of coaching this squad considering Dorka left and he’s achieving wins with a bunch of no names and a rejuvenated Taylor Mikesell. I have to tip my cap to him as in the 4 games I have watched them play and was rooting against him every time, the team played well and won. He has my respect (at least this year!).
As @TerpWomenFan stated, yesterday was the first time we saw the juggernaut Terp team from a year ago which had Ashley but no Angel and last night no Ashley but An Angel!
Reese was really good last night and honestly has been all year. She plays with a lot of passion that may grate on the other teams fans but man it Ayanna Patterson could be 80% of Angel, I would be ecstatic!
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Even more impressively for Ohio State, they're not only doing this without Dorka but also Madison Greene, who led them in assists and was third in scoring last year.
Dillon77
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He also lost forward Aaliyah Patty, when she transferred to Texas A&M, so he's essentially got last year's back-up center, Rebeka Mikulasikova, surrounded by four guards. Yes, he calls one a wing (Mikesell) but don't fool yourself. And Madison Greene, their optimal PG, is also out.
I watched this team on B1G network a bunch the last two years: initially by chance; this year because I've been impressed on how McGuff and his players are pulling this off. There's talent there that meshes:
- Jacy Sheldon is scoring 20+ pts per game and she can stroke it. Plus she gets to the hoop with a sneaky acceleration.
- Braxtin Miller, who came back from Oklahoma State, is a pretty sound guard who keeps her head and plays solid defense.
- Rikki Harris always drives Caitlin Clark nuts on defense.
So, this is not the way one would want to build a team, but they're making a run of it. So far, so good. And entertaining, to boot. I'll be interested if McGuff can snag a forward in the offseason to join his post and gaggle of guards!
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Rikki Harris drives everyone she guards nuts on defence. Her energy and commitment is awesome.
Bigboote
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I wonder if this also ties into the post above about Bluder. This part is speculation: I assume Hillmon wants to play in the W. So, either she has tried and failed to develop range beyond the foul line, or the coaching staff hasn't made it a priority.
Compare this with Mackenzie Holmes. Again this is speculation: I suspect she had a talk with Teri Moren at the end of last season and expressed a desire to play in the W. And Moren probably told her that if she was gonna have a shot at the W, she wouldn't be a center, she'd need to be a 4, better yet a stretch-4. And damned if she hasn't been a very effective three-point shooter this season. She hasn't shot a lot, but I think she's hitting over 40%.
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