Predicting the outcome of each Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal.
#1 UCLA vs. #8 Washington (12:00 p.m. Eastern on BTN)
Although logic dictates that UCLA should win easily, recency bias prompts me to pause. Washington handled USC, but USC was hamstrung by an injury to Big Ten freshman of the year Jazzy Davidson. Not to mention the fact that First Team All-American and Naismith Trophy winner JuJu Watkins left a Grand Canyon-sized hole in USC’s lineup with her season-ending injury. Speaking of good players, UCLA senior Lauren Betts became the first player to win Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player awards in the same season. As tempting as it is to say the opposite, UCLA wins easily.
#4 Minnesota vs. #5 Ohio State (25 min. after UCLA v Washington on BTN)
My pick is Ohio St. They cruised to a victory over a hungover Indiana. But they had balanced scoring with sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (19), senior Chance Gray (18) and junior Kennedy Cambridge (14). Sophomore Finn Elsa Lemmilä had 13 boards. Ohio St. will have to give her support because the last time they played Minnesota on 2/18, they outrebounded them 47-32, a big reason why Minnesota won by 13 points. It’ll be close, but the fact that Ohio St. has already played in the tournament tips it in their direction.
#2 Iowa vs. #10 Illinois (6:30 p.m. Eastern on BTN)
Iowa is the choice. Too many factors are going their way, with their six-game winning streak and inside presence, which manifests in Iowa ranking second in the Big Ten in FG% and defensive rebounding. Look for sophomore Ava Heiden to continue her excellent play. When Iowa and Illinois played last week, Thursday, 2/6, Heiden had 28 points on 13-18 shooting, and Iowa scored 50 in the paint to Illinois’s 34.
#3 Michigan vs. #11 Oregon (25 min. after Iowa v Illinois game on BTN)
Michigan for the win, because they are a much better team than they were in Eugene back in December, when they escaped with a double-overtime win. The sophomore trio of Olivia Olson, Syla Swords, and Mila Holloway has played a ton of minutes and has had their mettle tested repeatedly. Oregon doesn't present any particular problem, although their sophomores Ehis Etute and Katie Fiso have had a great tournament.