Pop the popcorn, Big Ten supporters. From beginning to end, the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal round ought to be immensely thrilling.
On Friday, every one of the top four seeds will play. Stars like Sara Scalia (Indiana), Julia Ayrault (Michigan State), Jacy Sheldon (Ohio State), and Caitlin Clark (Iowa) will be on display. From the initial tip-off at 12:30 p.m. ET until the last buzzer of the final game, it will be must-watch television.
Maryland is into the game with considerable momentum, having overcome a 14-point deficit to Illinois in the first quarter of the game on Thursday. Bri McDaniel had a significant contribution, tallying 10 rebounds and 20 points in the thrilling triumph. Having won the Big Ten regular season championship unchallenged, Ohio State earned a double-bye, so when it takes the court, it will be well-rested.
Senior Jacy Sheldon: Sheldon, one of the Big Ten’s most prolific scorers, was chosen for the first team All-Big Ten this year. She is scoring 18.2 points a night on average, making over 51% of her field goals and around 40% of her three-pointers. With an average of just under four assists per game this season, she has also done a fantastic job of setting up her teammates for success. Sheldon is among the conference’s best defenders as well.
Cotie McMahon, a sophomore, has averaged 6.4 rebounds per game this season, helping the Buckeyes win a lot of games on the glass. With 14.1 points per game, she is also the second-leading scorer for the squad. In 15 of Ohio State’s previous 16 games, the 6-foot forward has scored in double digits, including a 33-point performance in an overtime victory over Iowa.
Celeste Taylor, older: For her performances on that end of the court, the senior guard was chosen by coaches to be the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at the conclusion of the regular season. Taylor is exceptional at pressuring teams into turnovers and can open doors for her teammates. She scores 10.3 points and dishouts 3.3 assists a game on the offensive end.
