Large Ten is cooking; Maddy Siegrist units Villanova scoring document

It’s Large Monday within the Large Ten.

There is no such thing as a scarcity of high-stakes video games this week (we advocate doing your entire errands on Tuesday evening), and it begins on Monday with two top-15 matchups. No. 10 Iowa (15-4, 7-1) will face off towards No. 2 Ohio State (19-0, 8-0) in Columbus, Ohio, on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET. And No. 6 Indiana (17-1, 7-1) is in Ann Arbor to play No. 13 Michigan (16-3, 6-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET on the Large Ten Community.

The 4 groups concerned are inside the high 5 of the convention standings and are the highest 4 in Large Ten successful margin. They’re three of the perfect offenses and defenses within the league.

This week will start to separate these groups on the high since not one of the high three have performed one another but. These video games will go on to find out the convention champion and seeding for the convention event.

Ohio State is undefeated in Large Ten play, averaging 86.3 ppg (second) and permitting 62.9 ppg (fourth), however has performed solely two of the top-seven groups of the 14-team convention. After dealing with Iowa, the Buckeyes will face Indiana on Thursday and Maryland the week following. Extra video games towards Indiana, Michigan and Maryland are additionally nonetheless on the schedule.

Indiana is permitting the fewest factors of any within the convention (58.6 ppg), however has a loss to Michigan State (11-9, 3-6). The Hoosiers needed to play extra time to beat Nebraska (12-8, 4-5) and have six video games on the schedule towards the present top-five groups. It’s tied with Ohio State for the many of the convention leaders.

Iowa has the league’s greatest offense (87.9 ppg) and most harmful deep shooter (Caitlin Clark’s 26.7 ppg are third in D-I), however struggles defensively. Its 70.6 ppg allowed are tenth within the convention, trailing Indiana by 12 factors. Iowa, which took a loss to upset-minded Illinois (16-4, 6-3), may have time without work after the OSU recreation earlier than dealing with Maryland on Feb. 2. The Hawkeyes nonetheless have two video games towards Indiana and two towards the Terrapins.

Maryland is an outlier at fourth within the standings given its offensive and defensive rankings and a seventh-ranked successful margin, which is the one single-digit one of many group. The Terps have misplaced to Nebraska and Indiana, and haven’t performed Illinois. They nonetheless have two video games every towards Ohio State and Iowa that might push them out of first-place competition.

Michigan is the second-best defensively to rank fourth in successful margin and has already performed each Ohio State and Iowa, shedding by 9 to every. Like Maryland, it has but to play Illinois.

The Combating Illini are probably the most stunning turnaround groups of any convention after ending the 2021-22 season final at 1-13 in Large Ten play. Illinois ranks fifth offensively (79.6 ppg) and defensively (63.2 ppg) in convention contests. Its 40.3% clip from 3-point vary leads the convention and it averages 41.2 rpg to rank second. The group has saved it to single digits towards the top-three groups within the standings and is successful within the convention by a median of 16.4 ppg (fifth).

Illinois misplaced by 6 to Ohio State, misplaced by margins of 4 and 11 to Indiana and defeated Iowa by 4. It has an awesome likelihood to upend Maryland and Michigan to slip into the highest 5 and make it attention-grabbing down the again finish of the season.

Winner: Maddy Siegrist and Sister Rose Marie

Maddy Siegrist is now Villanova’s all-time main scorer after reaching 2,414 factors in a 73-57 win over Creighton on Friday. She broke the mark of two,408 set by Shelly Pennefather from 1983-87. Kerry Kittles is third all-time at 2,243 factors from 1992-96 and holds the document for the lads’s program.

Siegrist has a particular relationship with Pennefather, who gained three Large East Participant of the 12 months trophies and the Nationwide Participant of the 12 months award in 1987. Pennefather turned a cloistered nun in 1994 and is now Sister Rose Marie of the Queen of Angels.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Mike Jensen wrote of the 2 Villanova superstars assembly, which needed to be completed by way of a display separating guests in a home connected to a chapel in Virginia. Former head coach Harry Perretta, Pennefather’s coach who was there for Siegrist’s first season, and senior affiliate athletic director Lynn Tighe, who performed with Pennefather, additionally visited. It was at their first assembly that Sister Rose Marie was informed Siegrist broke her freshman scoring document.

Siegrist, a 6-foot-2 senior ahead, is 2 factors away from changing into the main scorer within the historical past of Philadelphia Large 5 ladies’s basketball, per Villanova. The opposite 4 applications are Temple, Saint Joseph’s, Penn, La Salle and Drexel. She has scored 20 factors in all 21 video games and is averaging a Division I-best 28.5 ppg with 9.6 rpg (thirty first).

Villanova (18-3, 9-1 Large East) is off till Sunday when it travels to Hartford with an opportunity to take down Large East chief UConn (17-2, 10-0).

Loser: Louisville’s fourth quarter

It’s the little moments that make a season and the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 63-51 loss to NC State can sum up quite a bit for Louisville.

The Cardinals had been outscored, 15-4, after coming into the ultimate quarter trailing by 1 level. By the primary eight minutes, their solely factors had been a single free throw by Morgan Jones. Their solely bucket got here with 1:35 on a steal-and-score from her. And by the buzzer, they went 1-of-16.

Louisville is the ACC’s best-shooting group at 48.9% and NC State’s protection is middling, permitting groups to hit 39.3% of their photographs. The three-point distinction is much more stark between them. This was a case of the Cardinals’ offense stumbling after they wanted it, which may’t occur for a group that makes up for OK protection. It was their second-worst total capturing proportion (30.3%) of the season and their lowest assists quantity (six). In solely 4 video games have they dished out fewer than 10.

The loss is a tricky loss for Louisville (15-7, 6-3) since it might have been the most important win of the season within the event choice committee’s eyes. Losses towards South Dakota State and Center Tennessee damage. Their most defining win may be towards Florida State two weekends in the past.

Loser: Timing of UConn vs. Tennessee

The assembly of two storied powerhouses will all the time be value a watch, however this 12 months, it might be with out the celebs.

Connecticut will journey to Knoxville for a Thursday evening function on ESPN towards Tennessee (16-6, 8-0 SEC). The Huskies lead the collection, 16-9, and have gained all three video games for the reason that collection got here again within the 2019-20 season.

UConn will possible be with out its early Participant of the 12 months contender, Azzi Fudd, after the sophomore reinjured her knee. The group mentioned it won’t launch a timeline for her return.

Tennessee senior starter Jordan Horston (15.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.6 apg) didn’t journey with the group for its win towards Missouri on Sunday because of sickness, head coach Kellie Harper mentioned. The group is already with out heart Tamari Key, who’s out for the season after docs discovered blood clots in her lungs.

Whereas it’s disappointing the most important stars could also be sidelined, it opens up the door for a brand new star within the rivalry’s lore.

Athletes squeezing onto press row for in-game TV appearances could be distracting and boring. Didi Richards was neither.

Richards actually yelled “sure” into her headset on the finish of the third quarter when Jana Van Gytenbeek made a 3-pointer for her alma mater Baylor Bears. And she or he exhaled a dissatisfied “oh my gosh” when Texas answered.

The New York Liberty guard joked she must be sponsored by Wendy’s for going 4-for-4 in Large 12 championships and shouted out a neighborhood Brooklyn eatery close to Barclays Middle.

“I wish to additionally put on the market I’ve additionally by no means misplaced to the College of Texas in my life. I’ve not,” mentioned Richards, who went 9-0 towards the Longhorns. “And I don’t plan on it ever taking place.”

When it was famous that Baylor misplaced its 13-straight successful streak towards Texas final 12 months, the primary season since Richards left, she popped in with a, “Ya know, I didn’t wish to say that.”

It was additionally good to listen to with such honesty a former participant’s evaluation of how the youthful gamers have grown. She was complimentary of the protection of Jaden Owens, who used to protect her in follow. And she or he was animated speaking about junior guard Sarah Andrews, who blocked a shot late within the third, and her elevated skill to get again on protection since freshman 12 months.

Loser: Texas, if it’s with out Rori Harmon

Baylor (13-6, 4-2) might have used Richards because it fell to Texas, 68-55. The Bears had been outrebounded by 14 and dedicated 20 turnovers.

Texas is surging again into the Large 12 lead, however star level guard Rori Harmon went down with an damage late within the recreation. She was on the entrance of the handshake line, however seemed to be strolling gingerly. Head coach Vic Schaefer didn’t wish to give “premature updates” instantly after the sport and mentioned she’ll be checked out “and we’ll go from there.” The sophomore guard was “day-to-day” with a foot damage to begin the season.

Texas struggled with out her, going 2-3 and averaging 70 ppg with extra turnovers. Along with her within the lineup, it’s 11-3 and averaging 11.3 extra factors (81.3 ppg). Its turnover margin is +8.1 versus +2.

The Longhorns (14-6, 5-2) bounced again from losses towards UConn, Marquette, Louisville and South Florida to defeat USC, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State and now Baylor. Hopefully, Harmon shall be prepared for a recreation towards conference-leading Oklahoma (16-2, 6-1) on Wednesday.

Winner: Recruits becoming a member of early

UConn is including one other physique to its diminished roster.

Jana El Alfy, a 6-4 prospect from Egypt, will enroll for the spring semester at UConn, the group introduced on Monday. El Alfy dedicated to the Huskies in November as a Class of 2023 recruit.

She averaged 24.7 factors, 11.5 rebounds and a couple of.5 assists in a silver-medal-winning marketing campaign on the FIBA U18 African Championship final 12 months and led Egypt to gold on the U17 African Championship in 2021. She participated in the NBA Academy Women’s Camp and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma mentioned in November the younger participant needs to be a trailblazer for gamers from her nation.

The spring semester started every week in the past, however course registration is open till Jan. 30 and El Alfy started courses on Monday, a day after arrival. This system mentioned she is “not anticipated to take part in the course of the 2022-23 season,” however can follow and journey.

UConn might use her because it has precisely the Large East minimal of seven accessible gamers. It is going to nonetheless profit from one other participant in practices whereas constructing chemistry and manufacturing for subsequent season when Paige Bueckers and Ice Brady return from damage. It could even be useful for El Alfy to achieve expertise towards NCAA-level gamers.

She joins a small group of early enrollees over the previous handful of years who’ve taken an early begin in school. Saylor Poffenbarger enrolled early at UConn in January 2021 and a 12 months later transferred to Arkansas.

Olivia Miles, who enrolled early at Notre Dame in 2021, has three collegiate triple-doubles already. Her 7.2 assists per recreation rank sixth within the nation (first within the ACC). Cassandre Prosper, a member of the Canadian youth nationwide groups, joined the group in December and is averaging 10 minutes per recreation over seven contests for the Combating Irish.

Should watch this week

Monday

Iowa (15-4, 7-1 Large Ten) at Ohio State (19-0, 8-0), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 — Neither group has performed a top-four group within the Large Ten standings till now.

Wednesday

Oklahoma (16-2, 6-1 Large 12) at Texas (14-6, 5-2), 8 p.m. ET, Longhorn Community — The Large 12 standing leaders will play the primary of two instances this season. They meet in Oklahoma on Feb. 25.

Thursday

Ohio State (19-0, 8-0 Large Ten) at Indiana (17-1, 7-1), 8:30 p.m. ET — The Large Ten standings might change by then, however the two lead the convention in the intervening time and have the perfect successful margins.

Florida State (18-4, 7-2 ACC) at Notre Dame (16-2, 7-1), 8 p.m. ET, ACCNX, and Virginia Tech (16-3, 6-3 ACC) at Duke (17-2, 7-1), 8 p.m. ET, ACCN — The ACC’s high two groups in Duke and Notre Dame will host the third- and fourth-best within the convention standings, respectively. The ACC is jam-packed with three groups becoming a member of the Hokies at three losses apiece and NC State rounding out the plus-.500 group at 5-4.

Sunday

Villanova (18-3, 9-1) at UConn (17-2, 10-0), 2 p.m. ET, CBS Sports activities Community — Villanova has the perfect probabilities at giving UConn a convention loss in the intervening time.

What else to observe this week

Monday

DePaul (11-9, 4-5 Large East) at UConn (17-2, 10-0), 7 p.m. ET, SNY

Indiana (17-1, 7-1 Large Ten) at Michigan (16-3, 6-2), 8:15 p.m. ET, BTN

Thursday

Michigan (16-3, 6-2 Large Ten) at Maryland (16-4, 7-2), 6:30 p.m. ET

UConn (17-2, 10-0 Large East) at Tennessee (16-6, 8-0 SEC), 8 p.m. ET ESPN

Friday

USC (15-4, 5-3 Pac-12) at Utah (16-2, 6-2), 9 p.m. ET

UCLA (17-3, 6-2 Pac-12) at Colorado (15-4, 6-2), 9 p.m. ET

Saturday

Oklahoma (16-2, 6-1 Large 12) at Iowa State (13-4, 5-2), 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Sunday

UCLA (17-3, 6-2 Pac-12) at Utah (16-2, 6-2), 2 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Community

Duke (17-2, 7-1 ACC) at Florida State (17-2, 7-1), 2 p.m. ET, ACCN

USC (15-4, 5-3 Pac-12) at Colorado (15-4, 6-2), 2 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Community

Notre Dame (16-2, 7-1 ACC) at N.C. State (15-5, 5-4), 3 p.m. ET, ESPN

Oregon (13-6, 4-4 Pac-12) at Stanford (19-2, 7-1 Pac-12), 4 p.m. ET

1. South Carolina (20-0)

2. Ohio State (19-0)

3. Stanford (19-2)

4. LSU (19-0)

5. UConn (17-2)

6. Indiana (17-1)

7. Notre Dame (16-2)

8. UCLA (17-3)

9. Utah (16-2)

10t. Iowa (15-4)

10t. Maryland (16-4)

12. Virginia Tech (16-3)

13. Michigan (16-3)

14. Oklahoma (16-2)

15. North Carolina (14-5)

16. Duke (17-2)

17. Gonzaga (19-2)

18. Iowa State (13-4)

19. Arizona (15-4)

20. NC State (15-5)

21. Villanova (18-3)

22. Illinois (16-4)

23. Center Tennessee (16-2)

24. Florida State (18-4)

25. Colorado (15-4)