WBB: General All-NCAA Thread - Not Team Cyclones Stuff

Whew…talk about budget issues. Their AD thinks they invest heavily in WBB and should be contenders. Has to just be AD talk after firing their coach. The reality?

The Scarlet Knights have an athletics deficit of $516.9 million since joining the Big Ten in 2014.
 
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Truly the strangest realignment decision ever.
It worked out for the Big 10 for about a decade when cable subscriptions were important. They probably are still a plus for now, but man they blew up their budget for this. It's unfortunate that they will likely be bailed out by the university or the state.
 
This is one of those seasons where we're just waiting to see if anyone will challenge UCONN in the tournament or if they'll ride 20+ point victories to another championship. That won't happen until at least the S16 and probably the E8.

They're so good its almost boring. Huge credit to them to stay focused when they're rolling teams night after night.
 
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This is one of those seasons where we're just waiting to see if anyone will challenge UCONN in the tournament or if they'll ride 20+ point victories to another championship. That won't happen until at least the S16 and probably the E8.

They're so good its almost boring. Huge credit to them to stay focused when they're rolling teams night after night.
I would almost argue that they are so good it's bad for the rest of the sport. It also doesn't help that the Big East on the WBB side is a joke, they haven't lost more than 3 conference games in 33 years.

The Big East in WBB is much closer to a mid-major than a power conference. We had a buy game against Butler a few years ago for goodness's sake.
 
I would almost argue that they are so good it's bad for the rest of the sport. It also doesn't help that the Big East on the WBB side is a joke, they haven't lost more than 3 conference games in 33 years.

The Big East in WBB is much closer to a mid-major than a power conference. We had a buy game against Butler a few years ago for goodness's sake.
Oh yes. This was the problem the sport had before it's recent popularity. You had 1 or 2 programs every year with a legit shot to win it all and then everyone else. And those teams would just roll through the season without any close games until the Final Four. Parity is good. It sucks being a top 20 team but knowing you wouldn't come within 30 points of UCONN.

I think that's the case this year, unfortunately. UCONN is a head above everyone else. UCLA, South Carolina, Vandy, and maybe LSU have any chance to take them out, but I still feel like it's a long shot. I think UCONN would beat UCLA by 20, honestly. SC and LSU are not nearly as strong as they have been.

That being said, I do enjoy watching UCONN. The fact that they play with such intensity night in and night out against much weaker competition is impressive. Watching their game against the likes of Villanova, you just feel bad for the other team because they can't hang with UCONN yet UCONN still brings that crazy intensity.
 
SO much flopping in this Iowa Michigan game by Iowa

LOL….sure, so says every rival fan in history. Kind of an odd comment considering Solfakanich committed probably the absolute worst flop, I’ve seen in women’s basketball all year, 25 foot from the hoop… Fortunately, the referees saw right through that.

A couple things in basketball that have become my numbingly ridiculous to me. Fans complaining about the other team “flopping” and offensive push offs…..

I mean, it’s a freaking epidemic. Every team is doing it all game long. Do I like it, no but it’s ridiculous to pretend like it’s happening one way.
 
Pretty big win for Iowa in thumping #6 Michigan and holding them to 44 points. Michigan gave UConn their own really close game of the year so it's not like Wolverine suck on the road. Pretty much ices Iowa hosting in March and maybe pops them up to #10 or so again. Only home loss was to Gophers who had a crazy hot shooting game. Not that it was a fluke win, Gophers are top 5 in league play in both offense and defense.

Hawks were at the bottom of the Big 10 in defense Clark's freshman and sophomore year and relied on just outscoring opponents. They have incrementally improved each year since then.

I’ve said it many, many times… I am giddy about Jan Jensen‘s influence on the team defensively over the last few years. She takes it seriously and I think that’s key to being a top 10 team.
 
I’ve said it many, many times… I am giddy about Jan Jensen‘s influence on the team defensively over the last few years. She takes it seriously and I think that’s key to being a top 10 team.
I’ve voiced something similar. I think Jensen is a better coach than Bluder and her influence is taking Iowa to high places.
 
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Why is Tennessee the tourney at 16-12. Not even on the bubble? They probably lose to Vandy in the last regular game to go 16-13. Lose their first round SEC game and it might be Kentucky so it can happen they end 16-14 and on a 7 or 8 game losing streak. Why do they belong in the Tourney, best win over Kentucky at Home. I do not think any other ranked wins.

Totally agree here…
 
I’ve voiced something similar. I think Jensen is a better coach than Bluder and her influence is taking Iowa to high places.

I also think this… And I really loved Lisa Bluder. I thought she was a solid human being but even though the sample size is small I believe Jensen is a better overall coach.

And I’m beginning to think a better overall recruiter. Or at least I’ll say this… She has put the people in place to increase Iowas overall portfolio & star value.

I mean it’s pretty shocking to think with Stuelke out, they start two seniors three sophomores, and the first three off the bench are freshman, followed by Levin a sophomore.
 
While we are waiting for the Big 12 awards, here's the Big 10 post-season awards. Lot's of Iowa players getting some recognition, Eva Heiden was 1st team. Number of Gophers got 2nd/3rd team. Ex-Cyclone Feuerbach got all -defense team. Hawks Journey Houston missed freshman team while Hawks Addy Deal made the cut, I'd have flipped that based on how Houston's played the last half of the season.

Sort of odd that they have two lists, a coaches and a media. I pasted the coaches below.

COY is Cori Close and POY is Betts....cause #1 and undefeated in league.


2025-26 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Honors

As selected by Big Ten coaches

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Betts, UCLA

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Betts, UCLA

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Jazzy Davidson, USC

SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Angela Dugalić, UCLA

COACH OF THE YEAR
Cori Close, UCLA

FIRST TEAM
BERRY WALLACE, ILLINOIS
AVA HEIDEN, IOWA
Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland
OLIVIA OLSON, MICHIGAN
Syla Swords, Michigan
JALONI CAMBRIDGE, OHIO STATE
LAUREN BETTS, UCLA
KIKI RICE, UCLA
JAZZY DAVIDSON, USC
SAYVIA SELLERS, WASHINGTON

SECOND TEAM
SHAY CIEZKI, INDIANA
Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
Kennedy Blair, Michigan State
GRACE VANSLOOTEN, MICHIGAN STATE
Grace Grocholski, Minnesota
Tori McKinney, Minnesota
BRITT PRINCE, NEBRASKA
Katie Fiso, Oregon
Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA
Kara Dunn, USC

THIRD TEAM
Chit-Chat Wright, Iowa
Yarden Garzon, Maryland
Amaya Battle, Minnesota
Grace Sullivan, Northwestern
Kiyomi McMiller, Penn State

HONORABLE MENTION*
Cearah Parchment, Illinois
Mila Holloway, Michigan
Mara Braun, Minnesota
Chance Gray, Ohio State
Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA
Avery Howell, Washington

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM*
Kylie Feuerbach, Iowa
Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland
Brooke Quarles Daniels, Michigan
Amaya Battle, Minnesota
Tori McKinney, Minnesota
Kennedy Cambridge, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, UCLA
Kiki Rice, UCLA
Jazzy Davidson, USC
Kennedy Smith, USC

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
DESTINY JACKSON, ILLINOIS
CEARAH PARCHMENT, ILLINOIS
Maya Makalusky, Indiana
Addie Deal, Iowa
Addi Mack, Maryland
Sienna Betts, UCLA
JAZZY DAVIDSON, USC
BRYNN MCGAUGHY, WASHINGTON
 
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While we are waiting for the Big 12 awards, here's the Big 10 post-season awards. Lot's of Iowa players getting some recognition, Eva Heiden was 1st team. Number of Gophers got 2nd/3rd team. Ex-Cyclone Feuerbach got all -defense team. Hawks Journey Houston missed freshman team while Hawks Addy Deal made the cut, I'd have flipped that based on how Houston's played the last half of the season.

Sort of odd that they have two lists, a coaches and a media. I pasted the coaches below.

COY is Cori Close and POY is Betts....cause #1 and undefeated in league.


2025-26 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Honors

As selected by Big Ten coaches

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Betts, UCLA

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Betts, UCLA

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Jazzy Davidson, USC

SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Angela Dugalić, UCLA

COACH OF THE YEAR
Cori Close, UCLA

FIRST TEAM
BERRY WALLACE, ILLINOIS
AVA HEIDEN, IOWA
Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland
OLIVIA OLSON, MICHIGAN
Syla Swords, Michigan
JALONI CAMBRIDGE, OHIO STATE
LAUREN BETTS, UCLA
KIKI RICE, UCLA
JAZZY DAVIDSON, USC
SAYVIA SELLERS, WASHINGTON

SECOND TEAM
SHAY CIEZKI, INDIANA
Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
Kennedy Blair, Michigan State
GRACE VANSLOOTEN, MICHIGAN STATE
Grace Grocholski, Minnesota
Tori McKinney, Minnesota
BRITT PRINCE, NEBRASKA
Katie Fiso, Oregon
Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA
Kara Dunn, USC

THIRD TEAM
Chit-Chat Wright, Iowa
Yarden Garzon, Maryland
Amaya Battle, Minnesota
Grace Sullivan, Northwestern
Kiyomi McMiller, Penn State

HONORABLE MENTION*
Cearah Parchment, Illinois
Mila Holloway, Michigan
Mara Braun, Minnesota
Chance Gray, Ohio State
Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA
Avery Howell, Washington

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM*
Kylie Feuerbach, Iowa
Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland
Brooke Quarles Daniels, Michigan
Amaya Battle, Minnesota
Tori McKinney, Minnesota
Kennedy Cambridge, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, UCLA
Kiki Rice, UCLA
Jazzy Davidson, USC
Kennedy Smith, USC

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
DESTINY JACKSON, ILLINOIS
CEARAH PARCHMENT, ILLINOIS
Maya Makalusky, Indiana
Addie Deal, Iowa
Addi Mack, Maryland
Sienna Betts, UCLA
JAZZY DAVIDSON, USC
BRYNN MCGAUGHY, WASHINGTON

Totally agree on Journey. Addie has huge upside and she played well. But Journey was a revelation to me. She played awesome down the stretch & is a terrific RBer @ 5-11
 
While we are waiting for the Big 12 awards, here's the Big 10 post-season awards. Lot's of Iowa players getting some recognition, Eva Heiden was 1st team. Number of Gophers got 2nd/3rd team. Ex-Cyclone Feuerbach got all -defense team. Hawks Journey Houston missed freshman team while Hawks Addy Deal made the cut, I'd have flipped that based on how Houston's played the last half of the season.

Sort of odd that they have two lists, a coaches and a media. I pasted the coaches below.

COY is Cori Close and POY is Betts....cause #1 and undefeated in league.


2025-26 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Honors

As selected by Big Ten coaches

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Betts, UCLA

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Betts, UCLA

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Jazzy Davidson, USC

SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Angela Dugalić, UCLA

COACH OF THE YEAR
Cori Close, UCLA

FIRST TEAM
BERRY WALLACE, ILLINOIS
AVA HEIDEN, IOWA
Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland
OLIVIA OLSON, MICHIGAN
Syla Swords, Michigan
JALONI CAMBRIDGE, OHIO STATE
LAUREN BETTS, UCLA
KIKI RICE, UCLA
JAZZY DAVIDSON, USC
SAYVIA SELLERS, WASHINGTON

SECOND TEAM
SHAY CIEZKI, INDIANA
Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
Kennedy Blair, Michigan State
GRACE VANSLOOTEN, MICHIGAN STATE
Grace Grocholski, Minnesota
Tori McKinney, Minnesota
BRITT PRINCE, NEBRASKA
Katie Fiso, Oregon
Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA
Kara Dunn, USC

THIRD TEAM
Chit-Chat Wright, Iowa
Yarden Garzon, Maryland
Amaya Battle, Minnesota
Grace Sullivan, Northwestern
Kiyomi McMiller, Penn State

HONORABLE MENTION*
Cearah Parchment, Illinois
Mila Holloway, Michigan
Mara Braun, Minnesota
Chance Gray, Ohio State
Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA
Avery Howell, Washington

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM*
Kylie Feuerbach, Iowa
Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland
Brooke Quarles Daniels, Michigan
Amaya Battle, Minnesota
Tori McKinney, Minnesota
Kennedy Cambridge, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, UCLA
Kiki Rice, UCLA
Jazzy Davidson, USC
Kennedy Smith, USC

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
DESTINY JACKSON, ILLINOIS
CEARAH PARCHMENT, ILLINOIS
Maya Makalusky, Indiana
Addie Deal, Iowa
Addi Mack, Maryland
Sienna Betts, UCLA
JAZZY DAVIDSON, USC
BRYNN MCGAUGHY, WASHINGTON
Bummer Hannah didn't make first team but can't argue it.
 
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Bummer Hannah didn't make first team but can't argue it.

Meh….who do you take off the 1st team? I love Hannah, I think her ability isn’t near what she is ultimately capable of & will be. But the Big 10 has a lot of talent and she doesn’t have a clear position moving forward.
 
Things getting tight in the Indiana v. Nebraska game. Nebby was up big, lead now down to 7 with 5:30 left.