For the first time, the Big Ten women's basketball tournament will be held in Minneapolis. The event at Target Center from Wednesday to Sunday, will showcase some of the best players in the nation, including at least three players who will receive serious player of the year consideration in Iowa's Caitlin Clark, Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes and Maryland's Diamond Miller. Here are 10 players to watch:
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
6-0 | Jr. | guard
Voted Big Ten Player of the Year Tuesday. Three of her nine career triple doubles — most by a Big Ten man or woman — have come this season. Tied Elena Delle Donne as the fastest college woman to 2,000 points, doing it in 75 games. Responsible for half of Iowa's offense (points and assists), Clark leads the conference in scoring (27.2, second nationally), assists (8.2, first nationally) and threes per game (3.3).
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
6-3 | Sr. | forward
Holmes is second in the conference in scoring (22.6, sixth nationally) first in shooting (69.5%, second nationally) while leading second-ranked Indiana to its first conference title in 40 years. Consider: Before her arrival the Hoosiers had been in the AP poll four times. Since then? Indiana has been ranked every week she was healthy and on the roster.
Diamond Miller, Maryland
6-3 | Sr. | guard
Miller has been the leader of a Maryland team finishing strong, including a 28-point win over Iowa last week. Miller has scored in double figures in 27 of 28 games, averaging 19.9 points per game (third in the Big Ten), 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. But in eight games vs. ranked teams? 23.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Makira Cook, Illinois
5-6 | Jr. | guard