Indiana Women's Basketball: Big Ten Power Rankings Ahead of Conference Play

No. 14-11

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6-9, 0-2

Though there are no moral victories, Rutgers will be tough at the RAC this year. They will struggle to score, but they get after it defensively. Head coach Coquese Washington has a heavy lift ahead. That said, you can win at Rutgers. Legendary coach Vivian Stringer had the Scarlet Knights playing for a National Championship in the not-so-distant past. Washington knows about rebuilds as well. She led Penn State to three Big Ten regular season titles.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini 6-6, 0-2

This was not the start Illini head coach Shauna Green envisioned. Guard Makira Cook spent much of the early season out with a concussion. Fellow guard Genesis Bryant's play has been inconsistent. As a result, the Illini are 6-6. They were tough against Indiana but came up short. If Bryant plays more consistently and Cook can stay healthy, Illinois can turn things around.

12. Wisconsin Badgers 7-5, 0-2

Much like Coquese Washington and the Scarlet Knights, Marisa Mosely, and the Badgers have quite the rebuild in Madison. They are young and talented, however. All five losses were to teams likely to be in the NCAA tournament. They have some good young pieces. Sophomore Serah Williams and frosh D'Yanis Jimenez are solid, young players.

11. Northwestern Wildcats 6-7, 1-1

The Wildcats have suffered some ugly losses this season, including a 25-point loss to DePaul and a 58-point loss to #16 Notre Dame. They've been better in the last two games, but this might be a long season in Evanston.