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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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Penn State head coach Coquese Washington urges at her players to pick up their tempo against Sacred Heart on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. Penn State won, 83-46. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/TNS via Getty Images)
Penn State head coach Coquese Washington urges at her players to pick up their tempo against Sacred Heart on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. Penn State won, 83-46. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/TNS via Getty Images) /

Projected finish: 11th

Previous record: 16-15, 6-10 B1G

Key returners: 

G- Taniya Page- 5’7 

Newcomers:

G- Karisma Oritz, 6’0 (San Jose, California) Fr. (No. 57 on ESPN’s Hoopgurlz)

F- Lauren Ebo 6’4 (Washington, D.C) Fr. 

F- Bexley Wallace 6’3 (Pickerington, Ohio) Fr. 

Head coach: Coquese Washington 11th season

Entering her eleventh season, head coach Coquese Washington has a lot to like about her team this year. Winning B1G Coach of the Year titles (2012-2013, 2013-2014), Washington has established a great culture for the Lady Lions. She led the Lady Lions to the NCAA tournament in four straight seasons, reaching the Sweet Sixteen twice, trailblazing success for the first African-American head coach in Nittany Lions women’s basketball history. This past season, Penn State reached the WNIT despite finishing 11th in the B1G.

Outlook:

Penn State has the talent to finish in the top 10. Taniya Page is the glue that makes this team so hard to deal with. Penn State, however, ranked second-to-last in field goal percentage (39%) last season. Incoming freshman Karisma Ortiz can give Penn State the boost they need. Ortiz practiced with WNBA guard Danielle Robinson—that is how you want to head into your first collegiate season of basketball. They are pesky and gave a lot of the top teams a very hard time last season. The biggest question is how far can they go? It remains to be seen, but this could be a turning point for Penn State.

Best case scenario: Penn State continues to give teams the pesky play they have, but win these games, which launches them to an NCAA berth.

Worst case scenario: The load would be too much for Penn State and Page and they miss the postseason altogether.

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