Hoopla 40: 2023-24 Preseason Rankings

We are here. We are one week away from live true regular season college basketball. We are so back.

After previewing every Big Ten team, which you can go through here, it is now time to talk about who I expect to be the best players in the conference this season.

This is the first of three Hoopla 40s that will happen for the 2023-24 season. The next installment will arrive as we enter the new calendar year, and the final entry will be at the end of the season.

A few rules before I start the list:

1. These lists are based on a variety of things, but above all, and specifically with the preseason list, it is on what I am anticipating. I’ve looked at a whole lot of numbers, written about each of these teams and watched a lot of games, but this is very much a mix of all of that and a whole lot of projection. The preseason list is a place for me to take a few more swings on some players, which also means I will swing and miss plenty. Let me know who I missed in the comments or on Twitter, I live for the (friendly) debate!

2. All players currently on Big Ten rosters are available for this list. That means that incoming transfers and freshmen are considered for this. Future lists will have number of game requirements, but it’s all fresh for the first one of the season.

So, let’s get into it. Here is my Preseason Hoopla 40, with comments on each player below.

Just missed the cut: Amaya Battle (Minnesota); Riley Nelson (Maryland); Sara Scalia (Indiana); Brooke Schramek (Wisconsin); Destiny Adams (Rutgers)

1.) Caitlin Clark, Iowa — Senior

The reigning National Player of the Year and Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year is, astonishingly, at the top of this list. Clark is one of the most talented players the sports has seen in a long time, and her impressive blend of scoring and playmaking makes her impossible to fully contain. The NCAA scoring record is trembling.

2.) Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana — Graduate

My biases aside, you could convince me this top two would be the same if it was a full national player ranking. Holmes is that good. A complete two-way force of a forward who combined 22.3 PPG on 68-percent shooting with a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Somehow, she still feels underrated.

3.) Cotie McMahon, Ohio State — Sophomore

The potential that lies within McMahon is terrifying to even consider. She proved to everyone that no stage was too bright for her, doing her best work in the Sweet 16 against a perennial powerhouse. Her tenacity and intensity are unparalleled on both ends. If a three-point shot starts to take shape, the whole country should be sweating.

4.) Shyanne Sellers, Maryland — Junior

With Diamond Miller and Abby Meyers gone, this feels like Sellers’ team, and I have very few doubts she will rise to that challenge. The 6-2 guard is extremely versatile, a solid playmaker and a very, very good defender. She will be surrounded by experienced talent, but I expect Brenda Frese to truly unleash what Sellers can do this season.

5.) Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State — Graduate

We got less than half a season of Sheldon last year, but what we saw was something special. At point guard, Sheldon brings everything Ohio State needs: solid shooting, great playmaking and, above all else, an unflappable motor that makes her one of the peskiest defenders in the country. If Sheldon is 100 percent for her final season with the Buckeyes, they can reach historic heights.

6.) Laila Phelia, Michigan — Junior

Michigan is down three of its big four from last season, but that one remaining seemed the most destined for superstardom anyway. Phelia is a walking bucket who hit over 41 percent from three last season. She has also proven to love the big moment and feels like the type of player the Wolverines can comfortably build a tournament team around this season.

7.) Jaz Shelley, Nebraska — Graduate

The Oregon transfer has been nothing short of excellent in her first two seasons with the Cornhuskers, and Shelley elected to come back for one more year to right the wrongs of the 2022-23 campaign. Shelley is one of the Big Ten’s best passers and is a more-than-capable scorer from deep. She will be asked to do a lot for Nebraska once again, but Shelley is absolutely up for the task.

8.) Yarden Garzon, Indiana — Sophomore

How much stock can I take in one unbelievable shot that nearly saved Indiana’s season? A lot, but Garzon’s freshman season was already enough to get top 10 consideration without it. 11/5/3 on 45.8% shooting from deep is not normal for a first-year player, and she’s clearly proven ready for crunch-time moments. No one can be the new Grace Berger, but Garzon feels the most likely to take on some Berger responsibilities. I expect some big numbers in year two.

9.) Makira Cook, Illinois — Senior

Cook came with Shauna Green from Dayton to Illinois and just kept hooping. She was efficient, paced the team in assists and is back to do it all again with much of the same roster. You always fear a drop-off after such a miraculous year one, but the Illini have all the pieces to improve again, and Cook staying at her All-Big Ten level is the start of that.

10.) Sydney Parrish, Indiana — Senior

What an unbelievably perfect fit Parrish ended up being for the Hoosiers. Her energy meshed immediately, and she matched that with important shooting, rebounding and defending that helped Indiana get as many wins as it did. Parrish is a spark plug for this team, yes, but she’s also much more than that, and should see big time minutes as a core starter.

11.) Taylor Thierry, Ohio State — Junior

The most underrated player in the Big Ten. Ohio State’s leader in win shares by a wide margin (!!!) last season is a silent assassin, scoring 13.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG on 62.5-percent shooting without garnering significant acclaim. The perfect foil to McMahon, Thierry was rock solid all season long for the Buckeyes, and will continue to be the perfect piece that brings this whole roster together.

12.) Genesis Bryant, Illinois — Senior

Bryant, like Cook, was an excellent scorer and playmaker for the Illini last season, doing more of her damage from behind the arc with 72 made threes. It’s a dynamic backcourt duo that gives an opposing defense a major issue, and the NC State transfer feels like she could still have another gear to reach.

13.) Makenna Marisa, Penn State — Graduate

For years, Marisa has been Penn State’s constant. She has put up the production regardless of what has happened around her, but it resulted in a slight dip in efficiency last season. She’s back for one more round, this time with what appears to be the best supporting cast yet. If the Nittany Lions are going to put it all together, it starts with Marisa.

14.) Celeste Taylor, Ohio State — Graduate

The top transfer get in the Big Ten lands here. Taylor comes to the Buckeyes from Duke, fresh off winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the best defensive team in the country. She fits Ohio State’s identity so perfectly it’s scary, and she could find a new level with her scoring thanks to the Buckeyes’ significantly quicker pace.

15.) Mara Braun, Minnesota — Sophomore

Bucket getter. Braun is so much fun to watch and is a top-tier candidate to take a huge leap in 2023-24 under a new head coach. Her first collegiate season was far from perfect, but the raw talent was so clear any time I watched. Clearly the same thing was felt by the coaches, who put Braun on the Preseason All-Big Ten team.

16.) Alexis Markowski, Nebraska — Junior

Markowski has proven herself has one of the best interior players in the conference through two seasons at Nebraska, no doubt about that, but I was still left hoping for more of a leap in her second year. With some departures plus an unfortunate preseason injury, Markowski should see a lot of volume again. I think a year three leap is absolutely in the cards.

17.) Kaylene Smikle, Rutgers — Sophomore

The best thing that happened to Rutgers last year was the breakout of Smikle, who erupted for 17.9 PPG as a true freshman. The roster has grown in numbers slightly, but there is nothing in the way of Smikle finding another gear, and potentially getting the Scarlet Knights out from the bottom of the conference standings.

18.) Chloe Moore-McNeil, Indiana — Senior

Moore-McNeil’s development into a key facilitator was big for the Hoosiers last season, and it will be even more important now that Berger is gone. Her 3.23 assist-to-turnover ratio was among the nation’s best, and is just one of the various things Moore-McNeil brings to this team. She’s a do-it-all guard who can fill any of the gaps Indiana may have on its quest to win back-to-back conference titles.

19.) Hannah Stuelke, Iowa — Sophomore

With no Monika Czinano, all eyes turn to Stuelke, who showed flashes of excellence coming off the bench for the Hawkeyes last season. Stuelke is arguably a stronger rebounder and defender than the perennial All-Big Ten post she’s replacing, but it’ll all be about replicating that offensive production. Getting the best facilitator in the country to work through should help ease her in to the larger role.

20.) Ashley Owusu, Penn State — Graduate

Not too long ago, it felt like Owusu could be No. 1 on this list, and I am hopeful we will see that version of Owusu return in a new home. At her best, Owusu is a dominant scorer at every level, with precision passing and a terrific ability to drive to the lane. She might be the exact scoring compliment to Marisa that the Nittany Lions needed.

21.) Jakia Brown-Turner, Maryland — Graduate

Her numbers from last season don’t fly off the page, but Brown-Turner has been a solid piece of NC State’s game plan for years now, and she brings all that experience into the high-flying Terps offense. Are you telling me an experienced player that can guard multiple positions could thrive under Frese? Stunning, I know.

22.) Kendall Bostic, Illinois — Senior

Bostic has always been a terrific rebounder, but she has found a new scoring touch under Green’s system which might only grow stronger with another offseason of work in it. She is among the Big Ten’s premier post defenders as well, and can take advantage of a mismatch with ease.

23.) DeeDee Hagemann, Michigan State — Junior

One last chance to get on the Hagemann hype train before it’s too late. The 4.9 APG with a 2.61 assist-to-turnover ratio was an exceptional sign of growth for the former five-star, and it is now time for her to get more active with her own shots. Increased volume there to go with the playmaking could give the Spartans a true star to work around under new head coach Robyn Fralick.

24.) Brinae Alexander, Maryland — Graduate

Alexander was terrific off the bench for the Terps last season, and the knockdown three-point shooter should get an expanded role as a starter. Her scoring will be key to help this Maryland offense reach its peak.

25.) Abbey Ellis, Purdue — Fifth-Year

Purdue has improved over the past two years, and Ellis’ continued efficiency as a scorer has been a major part in that. In her final year with the program, I’m looking for her to take over a little more as a scorer, because she’s hit plenty of big buckets for the Boilermakers already.

26.) Adalia McKenzie, Illinois — Junior

McKenzie stayed with the Illini through the coaching change and came out of it as a consistent starter and important scorer to Green’s revamped squad. She brings a little bit of everything to round out the Illinois starting lineup, and may be relied on more if teams are better prepared for the Cook/Bryant duo.

27.) Serah Williams, Wisconsin — Sophomore

This Badgers roster took some offseason hits, but Williams remains as the main face of the rebuild that Marisa Moseley is hoping to continue on. Williams was dominant inside at points last season, and will now be looked on to be a true No. 1.

28.) Kate Martin, Iowa — Graduate

Called “The Glue” for a reason, Martin has been rock solid for the Hawkeyes in the Clark era, averaging between 7-8 PPG, 4-5 RPG and 3-4 APG all three seasons. Now, she will likely see an increased role for the first time, but she seems ready for that challenge after a career year shooting from deep in 2022-23.

29.) Jeanae Terry, Purdue — Fifth-Year

Whatever shortcomings Terry has as a scorer are made up for tenfold by literally everything else. She is one of the best guards in the conference as a rebounder, passer and defender, and will continue to be a triple-double threat every time she steps on the court.

30.) Faith Masonius, Maryland — Graduate

Masonius has been an excellent interior scorer for Maryland since she’s been there, and did well as a full-time starter last season. She was also one of the team’s best rebounders, an area the Terps struggled in overall. Masonius is another key veteran piece to Frese’s rotation that should get a production upgrade with no Miller or Meyers in the picture.

31.) Shay Ciezki, Penn State — Sophomore

Ciezki’s freshman season ended up going under the radar thanks to the outrageous amount of good first-year performers the conference had in 22-23. But Ciezki’s 11.8 PPG while shooting 41.6 percent from three should not be overlooked, and she gives the Nittany Lions yet another offensive threat that pairs well with Marisa, and should pair equally as well with Owusu.

32.) Lauren Hansen, Michigan — Graduate

One of three grad transfers for the Wolverines, Hansen’s SEC experience should help her make an immediate impact for Kim Barnes Arico. She was a solid scorer at Missouri and should be able to help the spacing issues Michigan has occasionally had in previous lineups.

33.) Cameron Williams, Michigan — Senior

A Michigan post player waiting for their turn before breaking out, this sure sounds familiar. Williams has watched Naz Hillmon and Emily Kiser dominate in this spot, and she showed some signs last year that she will be ready to do something similar when given the opportunity. This is that opportunity, and I’m excited to see the new wrinkles she brings to a position that has been so good to the program in recent years.

34.) Gabbie Marshall, Iowa — Fifth-Year

Marshall is the spark plug variant of what Martin brings to this Hawkeyes offense. When the shots are falling, Marshall has proven capable to be the player that Iowa can go to outside of Clark to hit a big shot. If that comes out with more consistency this year to match Marshall’s already excellent perimeter defense, she has the ceiling to be far higher on this list.

35.) Caileigh Walsh, Northwestern — Junior

Walsh led the Wildcats in scoring last season and will be relied on to do so again. Northwestern had a down year and is looking to get back to where it was as a program with Veronica Burton at the helm. Walsh has shown the most potential to be that No. 1 player to get some momentum rolling in the right direction.

36.) Darian White, Nebraska — Graduate

When I wrote my Nebraska preview, I thought White would have a big impact as a transfer, but off the bench. With the Allison Weidner injury, I think White can be that starter and keep the Cornhuskers going where they want to. She did everything for Montana State, and her ability to get to the lane and draw fouls should only help Shelley do even more work from deep.

37.) Leilani Kapinus, Penn State — Redshirt Junior

Kapinus’ defensive ability is undeniable, specifically her prowess at forcing turnovers. I mean, 3.1 SPG and 1.0 BPG is obscene. There’s some areas to be improved attacking with the basketball, but the Owusu addition could open that up in a big way.

38.) Gabby Elliott, Michigan State — Senior

Elliott’s 11 games for the Spartans last year were very promising, but a torn ACL ended her season early. The Clemson transfer should be a big part in what Fralick is trying to do in East Lansing, and I’m really excited to see her and Hagemann as a backcourt duo for a full season.

39.) Mallory Heyer, Minnesota — Sophomore

Minnesota’s lineup was full of unproven talent last season, and Heyer was among the most exciting. She was extremely efficient as an interior scorer and added over seven rebounds per contest. With the transfer of Rose Micheaux, Heyer could be on consistent double-double watch.

40.) Caitlyn Harper, Purdue — Sixth-Year

The final piece of Purdue’s returning big three, Harper’s first season in West Lafayette was a successful one, and it feels like she might be ready to take on a larger role on offense now that she’s settled into Big Ten play. The Boilermakers like to spread out the scoring, but watch for Harper to dominate inside in her final collegiate season.

True, official regular season games start next week. I’ll be back next Monday with some of the ones I am most excited for. See you then.

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