Hoopla 40: 2023-24 Midseason Rankings

Hello all, Happy New Year a few days late. I missed Monday, but I wasn’t going to wait a whole week to get this list out.

This is the second edition of this year’s Hoopla 40 rankings, where I go through and choose who I believe are the 40 best players in the Big Ten at this point in time. I picked this ranking based on a mix of stats, deeper analytics and what my eyes say when I watch these teams.

The first edition of this season’s Hoopla 40 came before the start of the regular season, and the final edition will come out after the end of the NCAA Tournament.

Just a few things to note before we get into the list:

• Since this is a midseason ranking, this Hoopla 40 also shows player movement from the preseason list. That is indicated by the italicized number next to the ranking, and “NEW” is shown for players that were not in the preseason rankings.

• Only players who have played at least 8 games were considered for this ranking, a little over half of what most teams have played thus far. Since this is a list more on production than projection, there needs to be a cutoff somewhere.

• All 40 of those listed are excellent, excellent basketball players, and there are far more than 40 players deserving of recognition in the Big Ten. If you believe a player was snubbed, rated too high or too low, please let me know on the one-letter social media website, or in the comments here.

• Win shares (and all the stats I use) mentioned below are via Her Hoop Stats.

OK, it’s time. Here is my midseason Hoopla 40, with comments on each player listed below:

Just missed the cut: Sydney Affolter (Iowa); Caitlyn Harper (Purdue); Taylor Valladay (Penn State); Sophie Hart (Minnesota); Melannie Daley (Northwestern)

*Stats listed are through Jan. 3, 2024*

1.) Caitlin Clark, Iowa — 31.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.4 APG

Clark has had all the national attention in the world, and what has she done? Oh, she’s only top 10 in the Big Ten in rebounds, No. 1 in assists and No. 1 in PPG by 11.9 over second place. The gap in PPG between Clark and second in the conference is the same as second and 66th. So, nothing major.

Iowa has needed Clark to be everything, and Clark has done more than that. This type of usage is unfathomable, and yet the reigning National Player of the Year has her team to a 14-1 record with that single loss avenged. She is the best player in college basketball and one of the most valuable individual players to her team I’ve ever watched.

2.) Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana — 19.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.5 APG

Any feelings that Holmes was having a slow start to the season have been quickly erased. Since that Stanford loss, any time Holmes has been asked to deliver, she has delivered and then some. In all four post-Cardinal games where she has played 30+ minutes, she has at least 20 points and 7 rebounds. She is shooting 66.2% overall, is still one of the best defenders in the conference and has Indiana firing with 10 straight wins.

3.) Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State — 18.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.0 APG

The Buckeyes have had a few more losses than expected thus far, but Sheldon has been even better than I expected. She has, time and time again, been the safety net Ohio State can always rely on to find a basket. Her three-point shooting is at a career-high 41.4%, and her pure tenacity on both sides of the floor is contagious to watch.

4.) Mara Braun, Minnesota — 19.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.4 APG

Mara Braun is a superstar. There’s no more “potential superstar” no, not with a start like this. Braun is second in the conference in scoring and win shares, has seen her efficiency go up while her turnovers and fouls have plummeted. She’s among the best free throw shooters in the country and averages 1.6 steals per game. Dawn Plitzuweit has come in and unleashed everything I thought Braun could be, and it still feels like she is getting better.

5.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — 16.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.4 APG

Maryland has needed a lot from Sellers to open this season, and Sellers by and large has delivered. She’s been an elite scorer and playmaker while leading the Terps out of their shaky start and into a nice recent stretch of mostly wins. She’s the catalyst for this team, and Maryland is starting to look more like Maryland through her.

6.) Makenna Marisa, Penn State — 17.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.6 APG

In the 10 games before going down to injury, I felt like I was watching the best version of Makenna Marisa to date. These numbers don’t fly off the page for her, but Marisa was shooting 50.7% from the field, 38.5% from deep and just looked much more poised and ready to take Penn State to big things. Her injury timetable, to my knowledge, is unknown, but I can only hope we get to see her again before the season is over.

7.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — 17.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 0.6 APG

Markowski has been the best interior threat in the Big Ten outside of Holmes, and has made large strides from her sophomore season. She is leading the way in scoring for the Cornhuskers and has taken on a larger role extremely well, maintaining solid efficiency inside.

8.) Jaz Shelley, Nebraska — 13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.2 APG

Shelley makes up the second half of what has been the best duo in the conference thus far. Her scoring efficiency could improve, but what makes Shelley so great is her ability to make an impact all over the floor, which she has done consistently through her playmaking and defense all season.

9.) Laila Phelia, Michigan — 15.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 APG

Phelia is Michigan’s No. 1 option without a doubt, and the junior guard is still growing into that with some shooting woes at points this year. But she is being asked to do a lot and has proven capable, especially so in that win over Ohio State. I’m expecting more performances like that in the second half of the season.

10.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — 13.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG

Hey look at that, Taylor Thierry is leading Ohio State in win shares again! That’s because she is the conference’s most under appreciated player who is more than happy to go under the radar and do everything her team needs to win. Her length and versatility are useful on both sides of the floor, and her consistency (61.3/42.9/78.6 splits) and ability to make an impact on low usage (1.23 points per play, 18th in the country) is what quietly allows the Buckeyes to thrive.

11.) Julia Ayrault, Michigan State — 14.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.5 APG

One of the best stories of the early season for me. Ayrault has gone from 3.6 PPG to 14.5 under Robyn Fralick, but this revelation goes far past scoring. She’s third in the conference in win shares, has been efficient from everywhere (52.8/34.0/85.4), is among the Big Ten’s top rebounders, has a 2.5-to-1 assist to turnover ratio and, hell, she is second in the conference in blocks per game with 2.6. Ayrault has done everything for Michigan State, and she has done it in just 22.0 minutes per game. What a delightful surprise, and a huge reason the Spartans have been clicking like they have under Fralick.

12.) Sara Scalia, Indiana — 15.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.5 APG

Sara Scalia, welcome back. After a down year as Indiana’s sixth player, she has returned to Minnesota form and then some. She’s hitting 46.1% of her 6.3 three attempts per game, making 96.6% from the line, and has been active defensively. Her quick release and limitless range have given the Hoosiers another gear to hit in 2024.

13.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — 14.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.9 APG

Though not quite at Monika Czinano production yet, Hannah Stuelke’s excellence around the rim has been massive for the Hawkeye’s success this season. Stuelke is playing much more confidently in all phases of the game, and she should only develop further as she comes back from an earlier injury, as she’s only played 20.6 minutes per game thus far.

14.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — 12.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.0 APG

Garzon hasn’t quite erupted in her sophomore season, but she has continued to be excellent in her role. She’s a key facilitator who can score at will and hits 45.0% of her threes. Her, Scalia and Holmes can be a matchup nightmare for defenses to deal with.

15.) Shay Ciezki, Penn State — 16.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.1 APG

Marisa’s injury felt like it could destroy all the excitement Penn State gathered early, but Ciezki has given the Nittany Lions plenty of life since. Her 40-point detonation on Central Connecticut State was the highlight of what has been a tremendous sophomore season for the guard.

16.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — 13.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.6 APG

McMahon has still had a productive season for the Buckeyes, but she has not taken that leap I anticipated. There are times where it feels like she settles for deep shots or goes at the rim with less authority than we’ve all seen she is capable of. That said, McMahon is a special player who I’m expecting to return to NCAA Tournament form very soon.

17.) Moira Joiner, Michigan State — 15.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG

Joiner’s fifth season with the Spartans has been by far her best as a scorer, and she’s not all that far off from a 50-40-90 level of efficiency (47.6/41.3/88.5). Joiner, like Ayrault, has found a different level under Fralick, and should continue to do with the Spartans sizzling like they have been.

18.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — 14.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.5 APG

Illinois’ struggles have been a surprise, but Bryant has remained a productive, efficient scorer through them. She is still shooting 42.1% from deep and adds 1.7 steals per contest.

19.) DeeDee Hagemann, Michigan State — 14.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.2 APG

One of my favorite players to watch in the Big Ten, Hagemann is a walking highlight reel who continues to hone in key parts of her arsenal. She is hitting half of her 3.5 three attempts per game, and has an assist-to-turnover ratio closer to 3 than 2.

20.) Kate Martin, Iowa — 11.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG

Martin has needed to step up with Iowa’s departures, and for the most part she absolutely has. She’s got career highs in scoring and rebounding, thanks in part to being much more aggressive getting inside. As competition gets tougher, I expect Martin to continue to be relied on more.

21.) Serah Williams, Wisconsin — 16.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 0.9 APG

Even with playing just 10 games this season, Williams is second in the Big Ten in *total* blocks with 29. Even in limited action, Williams has made all the required leaps to prove all that potential right in year one. I can only hope to see more of that as she returns.

22.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — 12.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.3 APG

One of the most reliable players in the Big Ten. Outside of one 2-point game against Notre Dame, Bostic has scored between 8 and 18 points in every game this season. She has at least 4 rebounds and 1 stock (steal or block) in every game this season. She is shooting 66.7% from the field this season. Reliable in every sense of the word.

23.) Grace Grocholski, Minnesota — 10.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG

The first freshman on this list is Grocholski, who has stepped into a big role for the Gophers in year one and has absolutely delivered. She has been impressive all around, adding 1.2 steals per game, and leads all first-year Big Ten players in win shares for her efforts.

24.) Kaylene Smikle, Rutgers — 16.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.5 APG

Rutgers has had some rough stretches this season, but Smikle has continued to show plenty of growth as the team’s top option. Her scoring is slightly down, but her rebounding and assist bumps make up for it.

25.) Madison Layden, Purdue — 11.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 APG

After a few tough years, Layden has erupted for her best season as a Boilermaker yet. She has been massive offensively for Purdue, hitting on 49.3% of her 5.1 threes per game. She also adds 2 stocks per game and has given the offense a much more dynamic feel.

26.) Natalie Potts, Nebraska — 11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 0.7 APG

It has been a tremendous start for the Nebraska freshman, and her growing confidence makes me think this will be the lowest she appears on a Hoopla 40. Her rebounding has been specifically excellent, where she averages 2.4 offensive boards per game.

27.) Abbey Ellis, Purdue — 14.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG

Purdue’s top scorer is continuing to lead that charge once again, and she’s done a better job this season bringing more to the table than the points. Her rebounds, assists and steals per game are all up from last year, and if her scoring efficiency can get to 22-23 levels, it may earn the Boilermakers a few key victories.

28.) Bri McDaniel, Maryland — 11.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.7 APG

There were definitely signs McDaniel could make a big leap in her sophomore season, and she has lived up to those with her extended minutes this season. McDaniel has been a great complementary scorer and even better on defense, where she’s averaging 1.7 steals per game.

29.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — 8.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.9 APG

Once again, Moore-McNeil is doing exactly what the Hoosiers need from her. She’s the team’s best facilitator, scores with solid efficiency, averages a 3.11 assist-to-turnover ratio and is up to 1.8 steals per contest.

30.) Lauren Hansen, Michigan — 11.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.5 APG

The Missouri transfer has come in and given the Wolverines plenty to help them with this strong start. She is a perfect secondary scorer to go with Phelia, and has been great on both ends of the floor. It was an important veteran get for Kim Barnes Arico, and it is working out well.

31.) Makira Cook, Illinois — 13.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.7 APG

Cook was superb last season in getting Illinois to the NCAA Tournament, but the nine games she’s played this year haven’t quite been up to par. The scoring is still clearly there after missing the early stages due to injury, but efficiency and turnover issues cause her to drop.

32.) Sydney Parrish, Indiana — 8.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG

Parrish falls in the rankings, but primarily due to her role in the offense. She’s still an excellent defender and rebounder, but her scoring has fallen as Scalia and Garzon have taken charge. She’s still extremely valuable, and about the best fourth or fifth option an offense could want.

33.) Amaya Battle, Minnesota — 10.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.9 APG

There is so much to be excited about with Minnesota’s underclassmen, and Battle is another example. She is fourth in the Big Ten in assists per game and has seen her interior scoring, steals and assists all go up under Plitzuweit.

34.) Leilani Kapinus, Penn State — 10.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.9 APG

As per usual with Kapinus, these stats only display barely half of her value. Her steals are down from last year, but still significant at 2.1 per game, and her 1.1 blocks per game is outstanding for a guard. She’s also turned a huge corner with her three-point shooting, which has gone from 18.5% to 44.4% this season.

35.) Ronnie Porter, Wisconsin — 10.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.1 APG

Porter is 5-4 and is out here averaging nearly 7 rebounds a night. On top of that, her 2.8 steals per game leads the conference. Porter has ignited for Marisa Moseley this season, and has been a delight to watch.

36.) Jordan Hobbs, Michigan — 9.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.1 APG

There’s always someone on Michigan who comes out of nowhere to surprise me, and Hobbs might be that one this season. She was solid in limited action last season, but has improved across the board to be a reliable three-point weapon (34.7 → 43.9 3PT%) and rebounder (1.9 → 4.1 RPG) for the Wolverines.

37.) Celeste Taylor, Ohio State — 8.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.8 APG

Taylor continues to be a defensive menace, and is averaging 2.1 steals per game for her efforts. But the scoring has not been there for the Duke transfer yet, which has caused her to drop. There’s a gear Ohio State hasn’t hit yet that feels inevitable, and Taylor finding her rhythm is a major piece in that.

38.) Tory Ozment, Michigan State — 9.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.3 APG

Yet another returning Spartan that has found new life under Fralick. Ozment has nearly tripled last year’s scoring average by shooting 17 percentage points better from the field, and has been overall spectacular for Michigan State off the bench.

39.) Destiny Adams, Rutgers — 12.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.1 APG

Adams came over from North Carolina and has been a big lift for the Scarlet Knights. She averages 1.9 steals per game and is a menace inside for opponents to deal with.

40.) Allie Kubek, Maryland — 10.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.4 APG

The final spot goes to Kubek, who has been key for the Terps in huge moments this season. Her 38 combined points against Syracuse and Minnesota — two of Minnesota’s closest victories, shows a lot about Kubek as a player, as do her impressive 2.1 offensive rebounds per contest.

Back to the regularly scheduled programming on Monday. See you then.

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