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Big Ten Women's Basketball: A Tight Race for the Top

USA, Des MoinesSaturday, January 17, 2026
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Top of the Table

  • UCLA is on a 10-game winning streak, showcasing dominance with recent victories over Nebraska and Minnesota.
  • Iowa extends their winning streak to five games after a tough road game against Indiana.
  • Michigan is also on a hot streak, with four consecutive wins over Wisconsin and Illinois.

Mixed Results and Standout Performances

  • Maryland has had a mixed bag of results, suffering a double-digit home loss to Ohio State but bouncing back with a win over USC.
  • Ohio State's victory over Maryland is a standout performance, potentially one of the most impressive wins of the season.
  • Michigan State is making a name for itself with notable wins over Oregon and Nebraska, but their toughest challenges are yet to come, starting with a game against Iowa.

Ups and Downs

  • Illinois ended a two-game losing streak with a win over Penn State but then lost to Michigan.
  • Nebraska had chances to secure ranked wins but fell short against UCLA and Michigan State.
  • Minnesota had a split result against the Los Angeles schools, beating USC but losing to UCLA.
  • Washington is on a downward trend after a surprising loss at Purdue, though they did manage to rebound with a victory at Indiana.

Struggles and Turnarounds

  • Oregon had opportunities to boost their resume but fell to both Michigan State and Iowa.
  • USC's struggles continue, with a four-game losing streak including losses to Minnesota and Maryland.
  • Purdue's upset over Washington might just be the spark they need to turn things around.
  • Wisconsin is on a three-game losing streak after road losses to Michigan and Northwestern.
  • Indiana's struggles have reached a low point with a six-game skid.
  • Northwestern has finally snapped out of their slump with back-to-back wins over Rutgers and Wisconsin.

In a Rut

  • Rutgers and Penn State are both in a rut, with Rutgers on a five-game losing streak and Penn State on a seven-game skid since December.

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