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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/049ed848d8037ee7f08cfdff5c8ad9c20eb897211ecd2d6a9edc972be685cc77.jpg)
Last year’s record: 32-3, 15-1 B1G
Biggest Losses:
Destiny Slocum: 15 PPG, 6 APG, 5 RPG, 4 steals, WBCA National Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten Second Team, All-Big Ten Freshman Team
Brionna Jones: 19 PPG 10 RPG, WBCA All American, AP All American
Shatori Walker- Kimbrough: 18.8 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.7 RPG, AP Honorable Mention, ESPNW All-American, Wooden Watch List
South Carolina: 11/13
Uconn: 11/19
Maryland lost more talent after last season than most teams in the country even have. Losing a remarkable freshman point guard in Destiny Slocum and two WNBA first rounders in Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, it is a testament to Brenda Frese’s ability that Maryland is still expected to contend for a Big Ten crown and finds itself ranked nationally. Many others from her elite recruiting class that arrived with Slocum return, with additions like freshman Channise Lewis and Florida transfer Eleanna Christinaki make for a deep roster. Maryland will once again be a dominant team and the teams who were hoping for struggles will have to wait a little bit longer.