Maryland was tabbed as the WER preseason favorite in the Big Ten women's basketball, taking home the top spot in the 2021-22 WER preseason poll as voted on by the WER Poll Committee. 

The 2020-21 Terps were the highest scoring team in program history, averaging 90.8 points per game. The Terps also led the nation in assist turnover ratio (1.7). 

Terrapins have won six of seven Big Ten championships since joining the league in 2014.

Maryland tops the order of finish, with Indiana , Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Northwestern rounding out the top half the league. Michigan State, Rutgers, Penn State, Minnesota, Purdue,  Wisconsin, and Illinois round out the bottom half.

Michigan's Naz Hillmon was voted as the World Exposure Report Big Ten Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year. Hillmon, averaged 25.1 points and led the conference in rebounds per game (11.3) and double-doubles (12).

Hillmon also set a school-record with a 50-point performance in an 81-77 loss to Ohio State on Jan. 21.

Joining Hillmon on the WER All-Big Ten Preseason First Team are Ashley Owusu, Maryland; Grace Berger, Indiana; Ali Patberg, Indiana; Monika Czinano, Iowa; Caitlin Clark, Iowa; Nia Clouden, Jr., G, Michigan State; and Veronica Burton, Northwestern.  

The WER Preseason Second Team All-Big Ten is comprised of Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana; Sam Haiby, Nebraska; Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State; Madison Greene, Ohio State; Makenna Marisa, Penn State; Diamond Miller, Maryland;Angel Reese, Maryland; and Katie Benzan, Maryland.

2021-22 Big Ten Women's Basketball WER Preseason  Poll

Preseason Players of the Year
Naz Hillmon, Michigan

 
Preseason Coach of the Year
Lisa Bluder, Iowa

Preseason Assistant Coach of the Year
Chuck Love, Nebraska

Preseason International Player of the Year
Chloe Bibby, Maryland

Preseason Junior College Transfer of the Year
Awa Sidibe, Rutgers 

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Emma Chardon, Maryland

Preseason All-Conference First Team
Ashley Owusu, Maryland
Grace Berger, Indiana
Ali Patberg, Indiana
Monika Czinano, Iowa
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Nia Clouden, Jr., G, Michigan State
Veronica Burton, Northwestern

Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Sam Haiby, Nebraska
Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
Madison Greene, Ohio State
Makenna Marisa, Penn State
Diamond Miller, Maryland
Angel Reese, Maryland
Katie Benzan, Maryland


Newcomer Watch List
Kylie Feuerbach, Iowa
Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
Emma Chardon, Maryland
Sydney Affolter, Iowa
Jaz Shelley, Nebraska
Laila Phelia, Michigan
Allison Weidner, Nebraska
Alexis Markowski, Nebraska