New York, December 10, 2025
The Big Ten conference is playing a pivotal role in shaping the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament field for the 2025-26 season, with multiple teams holding top national rankings and players earning key accolades ahead of the postseason.
Big Ten Teams Among National Leaders
Several Big Ten teams have established themselves as frontrunners this season, with Michigan ranked 6th nationally and Maryland closely following at 7th. Michigan boasts an 8-1 record, while Maryland is undefeated at 11-0, solidifying their positions as strong contenders for NCAA tournament bids. Ohio State is also recognized as a top team, currently projected 5th in the preseason Big Ten poll.
The competitive landscape within the conference is highlighted by preseason polling where UCLA topped the Big Ten poll, illustrating the league’s overall depth. Teams such as Indiana and Nebraska have started conference play with undefeated 3-0 records, further emphasizing the strength and balance across the conference.
Standout Players Elevate Conference Profile
Individual talent within the Big Ten is also drawing national attention. Lauren Betts of UCLA has been named the Preseason Player of the Year, with other key players including Hannah Stuelke, Yarden Garzon, and JuJu Watkins securing spots on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team. Weekly player awards have been distributed to athletes like Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA and Ava Heiden of Iowa, underscoring the conference’s wide-ranging skill levels.
These players’ performances contribute significantly to their teams’ national standing and bolster the Big Ten’s prospects for high NCAA seeding and multiple tournament bids.
Implications for the NCAA Tournament Field
The Big Ten’s strong national representation through top rankings, undefeated team records, and individual player accolades suggests the conference will claim multiple NCAA tournament spots with favorable seedings. The diversity of competitive teams and standout athletes positions the Big Ten as a major influence on bracket projections for the 2025-26 postseason.
This prominence in the early part of the season indicates the Big Ten’s potential to make deep runs in the NCAA tournament, reinforcing its status as a powerhouse conference shaping the landscape of women’s college basketball.
As the season progresses, the Big Ten’s combination of team success and individual talent will continue to impact the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament field, guiding selection committee decisions and fostering competitive postseason play.