By Okon Ekpenyong with On The Move with SportzKelz

The Big Ten Conference has recently made significant strides, especially with the University of Iowa representing the conference in the last two championship games. With the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington this year, the conference has gained more strength and talent to compete against conferences like the SEC, which has dominated women’s college basketball for years.

Although Iowa lost to LSU and South Carolina, their performance highlighted the strength of the conference. Caitlin Clark’s exceptional talent was a key factor in Iowa’s success, bringing the Big Ten closer to possibly winning its second and third championships since Purdue won in 1999.

The Southeastern Conference has dominated the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship in recent years, winning the last three titles: South Carolina in 2022, LSU in 2023, and South Carolina again in 2024. With 12 championships, the SEC holds the record for the most titles won by any conference since the Women’s Final Four era began in 1982.

This season, Clark is gone and changing the face of the Women’s National Basketball League, and the Big Ten Conference welcomes four new powerhouses and a new talent pool. One of them is the undefeated UCLA Bruins, currently ranked #1 in the country. After competing in the Pac-12 during the 2024 season, UCLA, now a member of the Big Ten, brings with them the potential to run the table and claim the conference’s second title. Another Pac-12 team that joined UCLA is USC, second in the conference with a record of 18-1 this season, followed by Oregon, 16-5, and Washington, 13-8.

However, despite their earlier victory over reigning champion South Carolina, the Gamecocks remain the team to beat nationally. However, the University of Southern California, also a newcomer to the Big Ten, is a force to be reckoned with. USC shares the top spot in the conference standings with UCLA, sitting at 8-0. UCLA remains undefeated, boasting a 20-0 record, the best start in program history. The Bruins are the only undefeated team remaining in Division I women’s basketball. But when the season is over, history reminds us that it is not how far one climbs but how far one goes that makes a difference.

Junior Lauren Betts of UCLA swept the weekly awards, named AP National Player of the Week, one of five USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Players of the Week, and the Big Ten Player of the Week. Betts averaged 27.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, and 2.7 assists during UCLA’s three-game road swing. In other news, USC’s Avery Howell was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after setting career marks in points (18), made three-pointers (4), and steals (3) in the Trojans’ win at Purdue.

The Big Ten has a strong presence in the national rankings, with five teams featured in the Associated Press (AP) poll: UCLA (1), USC (4), Ohio State (8), Maryland (14), and Michigan State (16). The conference also boasts impressive stats, with USC leading the country in blocks per game (7.1) and Minnesota ranking fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.71). UCLA averages 21.3 assists (4th), 45.3 rebounds (4th), and is shooting 49.5% from the field (5th).

The Big Ten has consistently ranked among the top conferences in women’s basketball attendance, with 14 schools ranking among the top 50 in the nation. Iowa leads the way, ranking second nationally in attendance (14,998 fans per game).

The conference schedule is packed with exciting matchups, including several games featuring nationally ranked teams. With its strong teams, impressive stats, and dedicated fan base, the Big Ten women’s basketball conference is shaping to be one of the most competitive and thrilling in the nation.

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