2017-2018 B1G Preview: Ohio State, Maryland will duel to the end

HARTFORD, CT - DECEMBER 19: Ohio State's Guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) drives around UConn Huskies Guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) during the second half a women's NCAA division 1 basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the UConn Huskies on December 19, 2016, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CT - DECEMBER 19: Ohio State's Guard Kelsey Mitchell (3) drives around UConn Huskies Guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) during the second half a women's NCAA division 1 basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the UConn Huskies on December 19, 2016, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – JANUARY 19: Katelynn Flaherty
COLLEGE PARK, MD – JANUARY 19: Katelynn Flaherty

Last year’s record: 28-9, 11-5 B1G

Key Returns: 

Katelynn Flaherty: 20.2 PPG, 3.0 APG,  two-time all-Big Ten first team, two-time WBCA All-American Honorable mention

Key Losses: 

Kysre Gondrezick: 14.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG

Sierra Thompson: 7.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG

Key Non-Conference:

Notre Dame: 11/29

Michigan may have the best story coming into the Big Ten this season. Being left out of the NCAA tournament, Michigan made it all the way through the WNIT tournament and winning it all. This will be absolute fuel for them to try to take the top spot in the B1G this upcoming season. Katelynn Flaherty and Hallie Thome led the team in points last season, a returning dual threat any coach in the Big Ten would like to have. Can they win the league? It’s quite possible.