Kelsey Mitchell, sophomore guard, Ohio State: One of the nation's most dynamic players, the 5-8 Mitchell scored 24.9 points per game last season to become the first freshman to lead the country in scoring. Her 29 school records include 873 points in a single season — most in Big Ten history — and 127 three-pointers, an NCAA single-season record. The preseason Big Ten player of the year has kept pace this season, leading the conference and ranking second nationally with 24.4 points per game.
Big Ten women's basketball players to watch
December 31, 2015 at 4:29AM
Comes to Williams Arena: Feb. 24
Nia Coffey, junior forward, Northwestern: The catalyst to the Wildcats' revival, the Hopkins graduate led her team in scoring in each of her first two seasons. She is averaging double figures in points (18.2 per game) and rebounds (a league-best 11.1) this season and has 123 career blocks.
Comes to Williams Arena: Jan. 20
Aerial Powers, junior forward, Michigan State: The 6-0 Powers carried an outsized load for the injury-depleted Spartans last season and finished as the Big Ten's second-leading scorer and rebounder (21.9 points, 12.1 rebounds per game). She's averaging 17.7 points and 7.6 rebounds this season as she seeks first-team all-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive year.
No visit to Williams Arena. Gophers play at MSU on Feb. 21.
Rachel Blount
about the writer
Minnesota’s bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.
