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B1G Preview: Maryland, and Michigan, and Minnesota…..oh my!

By Jasmine Brown

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Kenin McGuff holds up the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Women's Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins on March 4, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins 79-69. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Kenin McGuff holds up the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Women's Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Maryland Terrapins on March 4, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Maryland Terrapins 79-69. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Wisconsin Badgers forward Marsha Howard (11) drives down the lane and goes in for two during the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Northwestern Wildcats on February 28, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Wisconsin Badgers forward Marsha Howard (11) drives down the lane and goes in for two during the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Northwestern Wildcats on February 28, 2018, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Predicted Finish: 14th

Last year’s record: 9-21, 2-14 B1G

Key Returners:

Marsha Howard: 8.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 21.1 MPG

Newcomers: 

G- Kelly Karlis 6’2 (Medinah, Illinois) Trans. 

G- Diamond Bragg, 5’9, (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania) Fr. 

G- Jasmine Hale, 5’9, (Cincinnati, Ohio) Fr. 

F – Imani Lewis, 6’1, (Willingboro, New Jersey) Fr. 

P- Maia Caito, 6’4, (Cranston, Rhode Island) Fr. 

F- Carmen Bakes: 6’0. (Lindstrom, Minnesota) Fr. 

Key non-conference games: 

11/23 Pittsburgh

11/28 Duke

Head Coach: Johnathan Tsipis (3rd season) 

Head coach Johnathan Tsipis enters his third season for Wisconsin this season. Despite his tenure at George Washington University, boasting over 20 wins in three of his four seasons, transitioning to the B1G his first two seasons has been a bit of a struggle. It is clear that the Badgers are rebuilding this year and if anyone can turn a team around, it could be Tsipis, based on his resume. Tsipis has a good group to work with and can implement his teachings from the Patriots to the Badgers. But before competing with the likes of Maryland or Michigan, he has to get the ball rolling.

Outlook

Wisconsin ranked dead last in scoring offense at 60.6 points per game, and 13th in free throw percentage at 66.3%. No ESPN Top 100 recruits are in this year’s class, either. It does not matter much, but it is It’s still early in Tsipis’ career at Wisconsin so they’ll need some more time to catch up, but it is possible that they can. Marsha Howard has emerged as one of the best post players in the B1G and can continue to make her mark in her senior campaign. She is not the average height of a big, but she has proved to be one of the best despite her size. And with four newcomers coming in at 6’0 or taller, Wisconsin could have the chance to bully some opponents this year.

Best case scenario: More competitive games as they catch some teams by surprise, with bigs giving them extra possessions.

Worst case scenario: Lack of progress leads to another full rebuilding year next season.

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