College Sports Madness Top 44 Countdown 2019-20

Ignatius L Hoops

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It just started (two teams previewed), so, no B1G teams or Gopher non-con opponents yet. But, may as well start the annual thread.

#44 Princeton
#43 Oklahoma
#42 Gonzaga
#41 Drake
#40 Iowa State
#39 Iowa
#38 Georgia
#37 Purdue
#36 Missouri
#35 Clemson
#34 BYU
#33 Auburn
#32 Rutgers
#31 LSU
#30 Duke
#29 Michigan
#28 Boise State
#27 Indiana
#26 Rice
#25 Arkansas
#24 Tennessee
#23 M I N N E S O T A
#22 West Virginia
#21 Miami (FL)
#20 Texas
#19 DePaul
#18 Syracuse
#17 Arizona State
#16 Michigan State
#15 Notre Dame
#14 Florida State
#13 North Carolina State
#12 Kentucky
#11 South Carolina
#10 UCLA
# 9 Louisville
# 8 Mississippi State
# 7 Texas A&M
# 6 Oregon State
# 5 Stanford
# 4 Maryland
# 3 Uconn
# 2 Baylor
 
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I’m interested in ALL P5 women’s basketball.
#43 Oklahoma
#44 Princeton
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17829

We have our first Big Ten team:

#39 Iowa (#8 in BIG)

2018-19 Record: 29-7, 14-4
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Lisa Bluder
Coach Record: 393-215 at Iowa, 750-356 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Megan Gustafson, Forward/Center, 27.0 ppg
Hannah Stewart, Forward, 11.1 ppg
Tania Davis, Guard, 10.3 ppg


Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Kathleen Doyle, Senior, Guard, 12.0 ppg
Makenzie Meyer, Senior, Guard, 9.2 ppg

Alexis Sevillian, Junior, Guard, 4.8 ppg
Amanda Ollinger, Senior, Forward, 2.4 ppg
Monika Czinano, Sophomore, Forward/Center, 1.9 ppg
Tomi Taiwo, Sophomore, Guard, 1.4 ppg
Zion Sanders, Junior, Guard, 1.2 ppg
Logan Cook, Sophomore, Forward, 0.8 ppg

Key New Players
Gabbie Marshall, Freshman, Guard
Kate Martin RS Freshman, Guard
Megan Meyer, Freshman, Guard
McKenna Warnock, Freshman, Guard/Forward

Projection:
Senior guards Kathleen Doyle and Makenzie Meyer are the new leaders of this group. Doyle dished out a team high 5.9 assists and added 12.0 points per game. She is not the most consistent outside shooter, but Doyle has enough of an outside shot to keep the opposition honest. Meyer was the most prolific outside shooter on the team last year and will likely be again in 2019-2020. The concern is how many open looks will she get now that the defense is not concentrating on defending Gustafson. Senior Amanda Ollinger and sophomore Monika Czinano have shown flashes, but those two will have to manage most of the minutes in the frontcourt. Alexis Sevillian will again be a solid shooter off the bench, but Iowa will need to get production from either the newcomers or a few of the less experienced returning players like Tomi Taiwo and Zion Sanders. If that depth can be found, Doyle and Meyer can keep this team in the mix for an NCAA Tournament berth. If not, the Hawkeyes could take a big step back.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 78.4 (14th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.3 (243, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 51.5 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (191, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (198, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.0 (52, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.3 (12, 1)
Rebound Margin: 4.8 (58, 4)
Assists Per Game: 21.5 (2, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.9 (71, 4)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#76 McKenna Warnock
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17841


#37 Purdue (7th in B1G)

Purdue has missed out on the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons and has dropped towards the bottom of the Big Ten. However, Coach Sharon Versyp returns everybody from last year’s roster and what was a very inexperienced squad is suddenly a team that can make a big push up the conference pecking order.

2018-19 Record: 19-15, 8-10
2018-19 Postseason: None
Coach: Sharon Versyp
Coach Record: 276-162 at Purdue, 393-227 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
None

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Karissa McLaughlin, Junior, Guard, 15.0 ppg
Dominique Oden, Senior, Guard, 14.4 ppg
Ae’Rianna Harris, Senior, Forward, 13.1 ppg
Tamara Farquhar, Junior, Guard, 6.7 ppg
Kayana Traylor, Sophomore, Guard, 6.6 ppg

Lyndsey Whilby, Junior, Guard, 3.8 ppg
Cassidy Hardin, Sophomore, Guard, 2.6 ppg
Fatou Diagne, Senior, Center, 1.8 ppg
Nyagoa Gony, Sophomore, Forward, 1.1 ppg
Ajah Stallings, Sophomore, Guard, 0.5 ppg

Key New Players
Jenelle Grant, Junior, Forward, Transfer from Pacific
Bria Harmon, Freshman, Guard
Roxane Makolo. Freshman, Guard
Rickie Woltman, Freshman, Forward

Projection:
Karissa McLaughlin, Dominique Oden and Ae’Rianna Harris all scored at least 13 points per game last year. McLaughlin led the way with 15.0 points and added a team high 3.8 assists per game and hit 88 three-pointers. Oden is a capable outside shooter as well and added 14.4 points per game. Harris is the main scoring threat in the paint and recorded a team high 9.4 points and 3.1 blocks on top of her 13.1 points. Tamara Farquhar is another very experienced player. The big 6-0 guard is a very strong rebounder and defender and can do some scoring inside the arc too. Sophomore Kayana Traylor provides Purdue with a quality secondary ballhandler who could emerge as a dangerous scoring threat if her outside shot starts falling. The starting five will take this team pretty far, but the Boilermakers do need more production from their bench. Lyndnsey Whilby and Cassidy Hardin were the only other players to average over ten minutes per game last year and that caught up with Purdue at times. With a year of experience under the belt of the bench players and a few newcomers heading into the program, Coach Versyp should feel more comfortable giving key minutes to the bench. If those pieces can eat up some time without a major drop in production, Purdue will be right in the mix for a NCAA Tournament bid.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.1 (183rd in nation, 12th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.5 (126, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.9 (137, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.8 (214, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.7 (185, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.8 (111, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.5 (92, 4)
Rebound Margin: 2.2 (116, 8)
Assists Per Game: 14,5 (87, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.8 (116, 6)

Madness 2020 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#22 Ae'Rianna Harris

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#40 Rickie Woltman
#149 Bria Harmon
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17855

#32 Rutgers (6th in B1G)

Rutgers returned to the NCAA Tournament after a three year absence and that is a good stepping stone to get the program on the path to their former glory. The Scarlet Knights have won 20 or more games in each of the last two seasons and that has this program heading in the right direction. However, Coach C. Vivian Stringer must replace four starters and she will have to rely on quite a few younger players to get Rutgers back to the NCAA Tournament.

2018-19 Record: 22-10, 13-5
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: C. Vivian Stringer
Coach Record: 480-267 at Rutgers, 1,000-402 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Stasha Carey, Forward, 12.3 ppg
Ciani Cryor, Guard, 8.1 ppg
Charise Wilson, Guard, 7.4 ppg
Victoria Harris, Center/Forward, 4.5 ppg

Caitlin Jenkins, Forward, 6.0 ppg

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Arella Guirantes, Junior, Guard, 12.1 ppg

Tekia Mack, Junior, Forward/Guard, 5.3 ppg
Noga Peleg Pelc, Sophomore, Guard, 5.2 ppg
Zipporah Broughton, Sophomore, Guard, 3.9 ppg
Jordan Wallace, Senior, Center, 2.2 ppg
Mael Gilles, Junior, Forward, 2.0 ppg
Tyia Singleton, Sophomore, Forward, 1.0 ppg
Khadaizha Sanders, Senior, Guard, DNP last season

Key New Players
Maori Davenport, Freshman, Center
Joiya Maddox, Freshman, Guard
Danielle Migliore, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from St. Bonaventure
Alexis Morris, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Baylor, eligible 2nd semester

Projection:
Arella Guirantes is the team’s top returning scorer. The 5-11 junior averaged 12.1 points per game and is very dangerous inside the arc. If she can add a more consistent outside shot to her game, Guirantes will be in for a big junior campaign. The return of Khadaizha Sanders, who missed last season with an injury, will help keep this a relatively experienced team. Sanders was a starter the previous two seasons and dished out an average of 3.9 assists over those two campaigns. Sophomore Noga Peleg Pelc started a dozen games as a freshman and averaged 5.2 points per game. At the least she will be a dangerous outside shooter. Rutgers will need Tekia Mack to use her size to help out on the glass. The 6-1 junior was not asked to do much on the glass last season, but she could step into a much larger role this year. Tyia Singleton and Jordan Wallace are the only returning frontcourt players on the roster and neither played much of a role last season. Newcomers Maori Davenport and Tyia Singleton at least have some size and should be able to help out in the rebounding department. Davenport, a 6-4 Troy, Alabama native, is a top 15 recruit and has the talent to make a big impact right away. The addition of St. Bonaventure grad transfer Danielle Migliore and Baylor transfer Alexis Morris will give Rutgers more than enough experience and talent to keep this program moving in the right direction.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.1 (184th in nation, 13th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.2 (38, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.8 (105, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.5 (62, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.1 (244, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 28.7 (278, 14)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.5 (93, 5)
Rebound Margin: 3.0 (94, 6)
Assists Per Game: 13.4 (144, 11)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.7 (175, 12)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#15 Maori Davenport
 


Last season College Sports Madness had 6 B1G teams in their top 44 with Minnesota #26 and third in the conference. This season there are 8 B1G teams with Minnesota??
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17870

#29 Michigan (5th in BIG)

Michigan has been a very consistent program under Coach Kim Barnes Arico. The Wolverines have won at least 20 games in each of her seven seasons leading the program. That has resulted in four trips to the NIT and just three trips to the NCAA Tournament, so the end result is not always what Michigan wants, but it seems very likely that once again Michigan will be right on the cusp of earning a trip to the big dance. Three starters are gone heading into the 2019-2020 campaign, yet everybody else is returning. If some of those former role-players are ready for a larger role, Michigan could do more than just make the NCAA Tournament.

2018-19 Record: 22-12, 11-7
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Kim Barnes Arico
Coach Record: 156-85 at Michigan, 426-291 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Hallie Thome, Center, 11.8 ppg
Nicole Munger, Guard, 10.2 ppg
Deja Church, Guard, 8.6 ppg


Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Hailey Brown, Junior, Forward, 7.8 ppg
Amy Dilk, Sophomore, Guard, 7.2 ppg

Naz Hillmon, Sophomore, Forward, 13.1 ppg
Akienreh Johnson, Senior, Guard, 5.6 ppg
Kayla Robbins, Senior, Forward, 5.6 ppg
Emily Kiser, Sophomore, Forward, 1.9 ppg
Priscilla Smeenge, Junior, Guard, 1.3 ppg
Ariel Young, Sophomore, Guard, 0.8 ppg
Danielle Rauch, Sophomore, Guard, 0.4 ppg

Key New Players
Maddie Nolan, Freshman, Guard
Michelle Sidor, Freshman, Guard
Izabel Varejao, Freshman, Center

Projection:
Naz Hillmon did not start a game as a freshman, but the 6-2 forward led the team with 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds. She shot an impressive 62.8 percent from the floor and Michigan has an efficient and effective interior scorer with Hillmon. Fellow forward Hailey Brown can score in the paint as well, but she will also stretch the defense with her outside shooting ability. Brown started all 34 games last season and will be in for a big junior season. The other returning starter is Amy Dilk. She dished out a team high 4.4 assists per game and added 7.2 points. Dilk does need to be more efficient on the offensive end of the floor, especially now that she will be asked to do more for this team and emerge as a leader. Seniors Akienreh Johnson and Kayla Robbins were key pieces off the bench last year and could play a similar role this season. However, both do have the experience to step into starting roles if necessary. They will have to hold off some of the newcomers either way. Michelle Sidor is the highest regarded of the newcomers and she should be a potent scoring option from day one. Izabel Verajao, a 6-4 center, has the ability to make an impact all over the floor, but Michigan will be in good shape if Verajao can be effective on the glass and play solid defense.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.7 (66th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.6 (148, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.1 (23, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.2 (194, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.5 (291, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.9 (105, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.8 (166, 11)
Rebound Margin: 7.4 (20, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.2 (65, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.6 (221, 13)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#52 Michelle Sidor
#105 Izabel Verajao
 

Last season College Sports Madness had 6 B1G teams in their top 44 with Minnesota #26 and third in the conference. This season there are 8 B1G teams with Minnesota??

Apparently. Or perhaps better phrased, probably.

As of this point we’ve seen 4 B1Gs in the list from #29 to #44. And yet to see Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio State and Maryland. And Michigan State is ranked worse than #45, apparently?
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17875

#27 Indiana (4th in B1G)


Indiana returns four starters to a team that won a game in the NCAA Tournament. The expectations are getting higher now. Coach Teri Moren has led her team to at least 21 victories in each of the last four seasons and now the Hoosiers are hoping to take the next step and seriously compete for a Big Ten title and maybe even push for a spot in the second weekend of the tournament.

2018-19 Record: 21-13, 8-10
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Teri Moren
Coach Record: 103-66 at Indiana, 303-197 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Kym Royster, Forward, 6.2 ppg

Linsey Marchese, Center, 1.4 ppg

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Ali Patberg, Junior, Guard, 15.8 ppg
Jaelynn Penn, Junior, Guard, 13.9 ppg
Brenna Wise, Senior, Forward, 12.0 ppg
Bendu Yeaney, Junior, Guard, 9.7 ppg

Grace Berger, Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Aleksa Gulbe, Sophomore, Forward, 5.1 ppg
Keyanna Warthen, Junior, Guard, 1.4 ppg
Alexis Johnson, Junior, Forward, DNP last season

Key New Players
Jorie Allen, Freshman, Forward
Shaila Beeler, Freshman, Guard
Mackenzie Holmes, Freshman, Forward
Hannah Noveroske, Freshman, Center
Grace Waggoner, Freshman, Guard
Chanel Wilson, RS Freshman, Guard
Arielle Wisne, Freshman, Center
Danielle Patterson, Junior, Guard/Forward, Transfer from Notre Dame, not eligible

Projection:
Ali Patberg led the way with 15.8 points in her first season with the Hoosiers after transferring in from Notre Dame. Patberg also dished out 4.8 assists and ranked third on the team with 5.0 rebounds. She will again be joined by Jaelynn Penn and Bendu Yeaney in the backcourt. Penn was the most prolific three-point shooter on the team and was second on the squad with 13.9 points per game. Yeaney, a 5-10 junior, added 9.7 points per game last season. She is not a shooter, but Yeaney is a capable scorer inside the arc. The other returning starter is Brenna Wise. The 6-0 senior forward is not a traditional post player and actually shot an amazing 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. With Wise stretching the defense and adding another dimension to the offense, it opens up looks for the rest of the team. Aleksa Gulbe is the most experienced candidate to replace Kym Royster in the paint. As a freshman last year, the 6-3 forward averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game. The Hoosiers will have more depth all over the floor thanks to the addition of seven freshmen. Mackenzie Holmes and Jorie Allen are the most likely to make an immediate impact in the frontcourt. The top recruit of the class is point guard Shaila Beeler and she is ready to play a large role right away if Coach Moren can find her minutes. But after a season where depth was an issue, Indiana will gladly have the problem of not having enough minutes to go around.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.1 (97th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.5 (202, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.9 (61, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.3 (196, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.3 (226, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (55, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.4 (42, 2)
Rebound Margin: 1.1 (157, 10)
Assists Per Game: 12.0 (248, 14)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.1 (131, 9)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#21 Shaila Beeler
#57 MacKenzie Holmes
#70 Jorie Allen
 



https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17895


#24 MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (3rd in the B1G)


Minnesota had to settle for a trip to the WNIT last year, but the hope is year two under Coach Lindsay Whalen will get the Golden Gophers to the next level. Without Kenisha Bell, who led the team with 19.1 points per game, Minnesota has some big holes to fill. However, there is some talent on this roster and enough experience to return to the NCAA Tournament.

2018-19 Record: 21-11, 9-9
2018-19 Postseason: WNIT
Coach: Lindsay Whalen
Coach Record: 21-11 at Minnesota, 21-11 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Kenisha Bell, Guard, 19.1 ppg

Annalese Lamke, Center, 7.7 ppg
Irene Garrido Perez, Forward, 3.5 ppg
Palma Kaposi, Forward, 1.6 ppg

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Destiny Pitts, Junior, Guard/Forward, 16.3 ppg
Taiye Bello, Senior, Forward, 9.7 ppg
Jasmine Brunson, Senior, Guard, 8.4 ppg

Mercedes Staples, Sophomore, Guard, 3.4 ppg
Barbora Tomancova, Sophomore, Forward/Center, 2.3 ppg
Kehinde Bello, Senior, Forward, 1.1 ppg
Gadiva Hubbard, Junior, Guard, DNP last season

Key New Players
Masha Adashchyk, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Grace Cumming, Freshman, Forward
Jasmine Powell, Freshman, Guard
Justice Ross, Freshman, Forward
Sara Scalia, Freshman, Guard
Kadi Sissoko, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from Syracuse, not eligible

Projection:
Destiny Pitts will be the new star of the team. The 5-10 junior averaged 16.3 points and knocked down 81 three-pointers last season. Senior Jasmine Brunson will again start on the perimeter after averaging 8.4 points and dishing out 2.7 assists. Incoming freshman Jasmine Powell will add some quality depth at the point. Mercedes Staples had a promising freshman campaign and should be a capable shooter off the bench as a sophomore. The return of Gadiva Hubbard will bolster the team’s outside shooting. She missed last season with an injury after making 69 three-pointers two years ago. With junior college transfer Masha Adashchyk, the Golden Gophers have plenty of backcourt options. The frontcourt will revolve around Taiye Bello. The 6-2 senior is a superb rebounder and defender and has turned into a pretty good interior scorer as well. Finding depth in the frontcourt could be an issue that keeps Minnesota off the top of the Big Ten pecking order. Barbora Tomancova missed most of last season with an injury and incoming freshman Justice Ross has plenty of potential, but there is not any proven depth behind Bello. If Minnesota can find an answer to that issue, they will make a return to the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.5 (88th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.5 (80, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.8 (104, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.3 (128, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.0 (261, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.9 (103, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.9 (130, 8)
Rebound Margin: 6.5 (26, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.5 (140, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.4 (154, 11)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#86 Jasmine Powell
#137 Sara Scalia
#151 Justice Ross
 

Is there a reason they didn't mention Klarke Sconiers? She was rated higher than Cumming, Ross and Scalia.
 


https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17912

Visiting Williams Arena are the:

#17 Arizona State Sun Devils (5th in PAC 12)

Arizona State made a nice run to the Sweet 16 last season as they went on the road to Miami and knocked off the Hurricanes 57-55 in Coral Gables. Head Coach Charli Turner-Thorne has elevated the Sun Devils into a very consistent one as Arizona State has won at least 20 games in six straight seasons, including two Sweet 16 appearances within those six tournaments runs.

2018-19 Record: 22-11, 10-7
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Charlie Turner-Thorne
Coach Record: 444-257 at Arizona State, 484-297 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Kianna Ibis, Forward, 14.1 ppg
Courtney Ekmark, Guard/Forward, 10.3 ppg


Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Robbi Ryan, Senior, Guard, 7.2 ppg
Reili Richardson, Senior, Guard, 5.1 ppg

Jamie Ruden, Senior, Forward, 4.5 ppg
Iris Mbulito, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 4.2 ppg
Kiara Russell, Senior, Guard, 3.5 ppg

Key New Players
Sara Bejedi, Freshman, Guard
Sydnei Caldwell, Freshman, Forward
Ja’Tavia Tarpley, Senior, Forward/Center
Eboni Walker, Freshman, Forward

Projection:
There is some work to be done offensively for the Sun Devils as they do need to push that scoring average up closer to 70 plus points per game in 2019-20. The increased production will give them a much better opportunity to get to an Elite Eight or Final Four. Reili Richardson and Robbi Ryan are two experienced guards that will be looking to boost their scoring production this season. Both players struggled a bit shooting the basketball last year as they both were under 40 percent from the floor. Arizona State will play a quality non-conference schedule as they have a trip to Minnesota, the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase, and will host BYU and Creighton. The Pac-12 schedule will have the Sun Devils play Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA twice while avoiding a road trip to the Bay Area thanks to the unbalanced schedule. If Arizona State can become effective knocking down outside shots and clean up their free throw shooting, as that probably costs them 4-6 points per game by itself, that would help them a great deal. Overall, look for another 20 plus win season in Tempe and a seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.4(150th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.2 (40, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.0 (95, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.4 (199, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (157, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.3 (133, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.0 (249, 12)
Rebound Margin: 5.9 (39, 5)
Assists Per Game: 15.7 (43, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.5 (19, 2)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#87 Eboni Walker
#134 Sydnei Caldwel
 
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https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17912

Visiting Williams Arena are the:

#17 Arizona Wildcats (5th in PAC 12)

Arizona State made a nice run to the Sweet 16 last season as they went on the road to Miami and knocked off the Hurricanes 57-55 in Coral Gables. Head Coach Charli Turner-Thorne has elevated the Sun Devils into a very consistent one as Arizona State has won at least 20 games in six straight seasons, including two Sweet 16 appearances within those six tournaments runs.

2018-19 Record: 22-11, 10-7
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Charlie Turner-Thorne
Coach Record: 444-257 at Arizona State, 484-297 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Kianna Ibis, Forward, 14.1 ppg
Courtney Ekmark, Guard/Forward, 10.3 ppg


Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Robbi Ryan, Senior, Guard, 7.2 ppg
Reili Richardson, Senior, Guard, 5.1 ppg

Jamie Ruden, Senior, Forward, 4.5 ppg
Iris Mbulito, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 4.2 ppg
Kiara Russell, Senior, Guard, 3.5 ppg

Key New Players
Sara Bejedi, Freshman, Guard
Sydnei Caldwell, Freshman, Forward
Ja’Tavia Tarpley, Senior, Forward/Center
Eboni Walker, Freshman, Forward

Projection:
There is some work to be done offensively for the Sun Devils as they do need to push that scoring average up closer to 70 plus points per game in 2019-20. The increased production will give them a much better opportunity to get to an Elite Eight or Final Four. Reili Richardson and Robbi Ryan are two experienced guards that will be looking to boost their scoring production this season. Both players struggled a bit shooting the basketball last year as they both were under 40 percent from the floor. Arizona State will play a quality non-conference schedule as they have a trip to Minnesota, the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase, and will host BYU and Creighton. The Pac-12 schedule will have the Sun Devils play Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA twice while avoiding a road trip to the Bay Area thanks to the unbalanced schedule. If Arizona State can become effective knocking down outside shots and clean up their free throw shooting, as that probably costs them 4-6 points per game by itself, that would help them a great deal. Overall, look for another 20 plus win season in Tempe and a seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.4(150th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.2 (40, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.0 (95, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.4 (199, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (157, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.3 (133, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.0 (249, 12)
Rebound Margin: 5.9 (39, 5)
Assists Per Game: 15.7 (43, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.5 (19, 2)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#87 Eboni Walker
#134 Sydnei Caldwel


Unfortunately it is Arizona State and not Arizona that we are currently scheduled to play in the non-conference schedule.
 

Unfortunately it is Arizona State and not Arizona that we are currently scheduled to play in the non-conference schedule.

Thanks; corrected to Arizona "State Sun Devils". Lack of concentration.
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17918

Damn, Nia Hollie is already a senior.

#16 Michigan State (2nd in B1G)


Michigan State won 21 games last season, including signature wins over Oregon and Maryland enroute to another trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans are one of the better teams in the country at sharing the basketball and it results in a pretty entertaining brand of offensive basketball to watch.

2018-19 Record: 21-12, 9-9
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Suzy Merchant
Coach Record: 265-134 at Michigan State, 466-254 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Jenna Allen, Center, 12.5 ppg

Sidney Cooks, Forward, 9.5 ppg

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Shay Colley, Redshirt Senior, Guard, 14.1 ppg
Nia Clouden, Sophomore, Guard, 12.0 ppg
Taryn McCutcheon, Senior, Guard, 9.6 ppg
Victoria Gaines, Redshirt Senior, Forward, 6.4 ppg

Mardrekia Cook, Redshirt Junior, Forward, 6.1 ppg
Tory Ozment, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 5.1 ppg
Nia Hollie, Senior, Forward, 3.5 ppg
Kayla Belles, Sophomore, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Claire Hendrickson, Redshirt Sophomore, 1.6 ppg

Key New Players
Alyza Winston, Freshman, Guard
Taiyier Parks, Freshman, Forward
Moira Joiner, Freshman, Guard
Julia Ayrault, Freshman, Guard
Cydni Dodd, Freshman, Center

Projection:
Four starters return for head coach Suzy Merchant, led by a very talented backcourt trio of players. Shay Colley is a redshirt senior who averaged 14.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. Colley has the potential to average 18-20 points per game if she can boost her field percentage north of 40 percent. Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are two solid outside shooters that will stretch opposing defenses and open things for up for the post players. Victoria Gaines is efficient with her shot selection as she made 48.4 percent of her shots from the floor last season and her experience will be invaluable down low in the post. Michigan State was excellent at home in 2018-19 as they went 15-1 but they did struggle in true road games where they were 3-9 away from East Lansing. Trips to Notre Dame and Florida State will test the Spartans right away along with neutral site games against LSU, Syracuse and West Virginia. A good goal for Michigan State in those five games will be to get to at least 3-2. The conference schedule does start off with three out of four away from home but its manageable as they play Maryland just once. The key will be taking a step forward defensively and improving the scoring and field goal percentage defense. If that happens, the Spartans will be a threat to get to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.1 (31st in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.6 (285, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.9 (39, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.1 (279, 13)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.0 (84, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.5 (23, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.6 (112, 7)
Rebound Margin: 2.4 (109, 7)
Assists Per Game: 18.0 (9, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.1 (82, 5)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#83 Julia Ayrault
#96 Cydni Dodd
#108 Moira Joiner
#110 Alyza Winston
#130 Taiyier Parks
 
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Correction: They are ranking MSU #2 in the B1G.

In comparison, in our Big Ten Predictions we called Michigan State #s 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9 for an average of a bit over #7.

Hmmm, it seems that most of us discounted MSU a bit more than CSM did for the loss of Jenna Allen and Sidney Cooks. Maybe they are right. After all, Allen and Cooks last-year’s point total was only 22 points, whereas losing Kenisha Bell cost us 19.1 points by herself (and 31.9 points over all four graduating seniors).

Also, we gave more credence to Ohio State’s strong recruiting class, rating them #s 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3ish, 5 for an average of a bit over #3.

I guess OSU is the odd team out in the CSM Top 44 Countdown. We shall eventually see whether our collective opinion is more accurate than the College Sports Madness folks.
 
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Is there any indication that CSM is particularly good at rankings? They seem to get attention more for doing a countdown... and it seems to be working for some.
 

Is there any indication that CSM is particularly good at rankings? They seem to get attention more for doing a countdown... and it seems to be working for some.

They do decent write ups and it's a fun way to start the season. Plus, who else does them for women's basketball anymore?

Last seasons CSM preseason B1G rankings.

1 Maryland
2 Iowa
3 Minnesota (They assumed Hubbard would play)
4 Michigan
5 Nebraska
6 Ohio State
7 Indiana

Actual B1G Final Standings with NCAA teams bolded:

1 Maryland
2 Iowa
3 Rutgers
4 Michigan

5 Ohio State
6 Minnesota
7 Michigan State
8 Northwestern
9 Nebraska
10 Indiana
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17920


#15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4th in ACC)


For the first time ever, a team had all five of their starters selected in the first 20 picks of the WNBA Draft. That leaves Notre Dame with a ton of production to replace. The Fighting Irish took that senior class out with a trip to the national title game for a second straight year. This time they fell just short of a championship, but now the focus moves to a new look 2019-2020 squad that will have to rely very heavily on younger and inexperienced players.

2018-19 Record: 35-4, 14-2
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Muffet McGraw
Coach Record: 835-233 at Notre Dame, 923-274 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Arike Ogunbowale. Guard, 21.8 ppg
Jessica Shepard, Forward, 16.7 ppg
Jackie Young, Guard, 14.7 ppg
Brianna Turner, Forward, 14.4 ppg
Marina Mabrey, Guard, 12.8 ppg

Danielle Patterson, Forward, 2.9 ppg
Jordan Nixon, Guard, 2.5 ppg

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Katlyn Gilbert, Sophomore, Guard, 3.6 ppg
Mikayla Vaughn, Junior, Center, 3.3 ppg
Abby Prohaska, Sophomore, Guard, 1.5 ppg
Danielle Cosgrove, Sophomore, Forward, 1.4 ppg
Nicole Benz, Junior, Guard, 0.3 ppg

Key New Players
Sam Brunelle, Freshman, Forward
Kathleen Keyes, Freshman, Forward
Margaret Murdock, Sophomore, Guard
Catherine Murdock, Sophomore, Guard
Anaya Peoples, Freshman, Guard
Marta Sniezek, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from Stanford
Destinee Walker, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from North Carolina

Projection:
Katlyn Gilbert played in just seven games last year before a separated shoulder ended her campaign. In those seven games she averaged 3.6 points per game and should now start to live up to her McDonald’s All-American potential. Abby Prohaska saw some decent playing time as a freshman, averaging 14.4 minutes per game. She will again provide some hustle to the lineup, but now could be asked to do a little more offensively as well. Junior Mikayla Vaughn is a tough rebounder and shot blocker who could now emerge as a solid interior scoring threat. Grad transfers Marta Sniezek and Destinee Walker will add some much needed experience to Coach Muffet McGraw’s team. Last year Sniezek averaged 5.5 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds at Stanford. Her ball handling abilities and leadership will be a huge boost to the backcourt. Walker will add more of a scoring punch after averaging 12.4 points with North Carolina two years ago and 13.9 points as a freshman back in 2015-2016. As always, Coach McGraw also has some very talented freshmen headed into the program. All five could compete for minutes with so many minutes to go around, but top 15 recruits Sam Brunelle and Anaya Peoples will make a huge impact right away. This may not be a Notre Dame team that reaches the Final Four or wins at least a share of the ACC title for the ninth straight season, but overlooking Coach McGraw’s team would be a huge mistake.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 88.6 (1st in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.9 (184, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.8 (2, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.7 (64, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.7 (279, 13)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.7 (20, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.6 (37, 4)
Rebound Margin: 10.5 (4, 1)
Assists Per Game: 20.6 (4, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.6 (61, 4)

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#5 Samantha Brunelle
#11 Anaya Peoples
 

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17952

#4 Maryland Terrapins (First in B1G)


The Maryland Terrapins enter the 2019-20 campaign as the clear favorite in the Big Ten. They bring back all five starters along with a top five caliber freshmen class. This group should be highly motivated to make a Final Four run as last year ended prematurely with second round home loss to UCLA by a score of 85-80. The Bruins outscored Maryland 19-9 in the decisive fourth quarter to pull off the upset. Head Coach Brenda Frese and her staff will definitely make finishing games off in the fourth quarter a point of emphasis this season.

2018-19 Record: 29-5, 15-3
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Brenda Frese
Coach Record: 458-124 at Maryland, 515-154 overall

Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Brianna Fraser, Forward, 7.4 ppg

Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Kaila Charles, Senior, Guard, 17.0 ppg
Taylor Mikesell, Sophomore, Guard, 13.4 ppg
Stephanie Jones, Senior, Forward, 12.8 ppg
Blair Watson, Senior, Guard, 8.3 ppg
Shakira Austin, Sophomore, Forward, 8.4 ppg

Channise Lewis, Junior, 4.2 ppg
Sara Vujacic, Senior, Guard, 3.0 ppg

Key New Players
Zoe Young, Freshman, Guard
Faith Masonius, Freshman, Forward
Diamond Miller, Freshman, Guard
Ashley Owusu, Freshman, Guard
Mimi Collins, Sophomore, Forward

Projection:
Kaila Charles is the best returning player in the Big Ten and one of the best returning players overall in the country. Charles averaged 17 points per game, made 48.6 percent of her shots from the floor and collected 6.7 rebounds per game last season. Taylor Mikesell is an excellent outside shooter as she shot 41.1 percent from behind the three-point line and is a threat to go off for a 20-point game on any given night. Stephanie Jones is a matchup problem for just about every team that Maryland will face in 2019-20. Jones hit 59 percent of her shots from the floor last season, scored 12.8 points per game and averaged 6.0 rebounds per game. Shakira Austin is a very good shot blocker as she had 89 blocked shots last season for the Terrapins. Austin is also the leading returning rebounder for Maryland as she gathered 9.5 rebounds per game and should be able match or surpass those numbers this season. The schedule is pretty strong for Maryland as they will play South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina State, Quinnipiac, and Belmont. Those five games should give the Terrapins a nice cushion RPI wise just in case the Big Ten doesn’t perform up to expectations as a conference. Overall, look for Maryland to be on the doorstep of a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament and, with the right draw, have a great opportunity to advance to the Final Four.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA

By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.0 (34th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.2 (97, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.3 (15, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.5 (30, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (197, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.8 (34, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.9 (163, 10)
Rebound Margin: 8.3 (15, 1)
Assists Per Game: 16.8 (22, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.3 (146, 10)

Madness 2020 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#10 Kaila Charles
#17 Stephanie Jones

Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#6 Ashley Owusu
#22 Diamond Miller
#23 Zoe Young
#102 Faith Masonius
 

... may as well start the annual thread.

#39 Iowa
...
#37 Purdue
...
#32 Rutgers
...
#29 Michigan
...
#27 Indiana
...
#23 M I N N E S O T A
...
#16 Michigan State
#15 Notre Dame
...
# 8 Mississippi State
# 7 Texas A&M
# 6 Oregon State
# 5 Stanford
# 4 Maryland
# 3 Uconn
# 2 Baylor
And by process of elimination, ranked #1 in the College Sports Madness Top 44 Countdown must be ...

#1 Oregon

... who defeated us in Round 2 in the 2018 Big Dance. But we gave em a run for their money. And we can do it again (if we get that far).
 
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