High expectations for the 2016-17 season were reaffirmed Monday afternoon when IU was picked to finish third in the Big Ten in both the media and coaches’ preseason poll.
The third place ranking marks the highest preseason projection in IU program history. Junior guard Tyra Buss was also named preseason All-Big Ten by media and unanimously so by coaches.
IU finished fourth in the Big Ten standings last season, and Buss was named First Team All-Big Ten. The Hoosiers return all five starters from last year’s team, which won the program’s first NCAA Tournament game in 33 years.
“This preseason ranking serves as a reminder of the strides our program made a year ago,” IU Coach Teri Moren said in a press release. “However, we are not thinking about the past. We’re focused on the next challenge, as our program is still in the early stages of growth.”
Two-time defending conference champion Maryland was picked to win the league by both coaches and media, with Ohio State slotted to finish second by both groups of voters.
Buss, who led the Hoosiers in scoring with 18.8 points per game last season while adding 5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, was named to both 10-woman preseason All-Big Ten teams. Only two players were unanimously named to both teams, but Buss was one of five unanimous selections by coaches.
The Big Ten Network is currently in the middle of Women’s Basketball Digital Week, and IU will be featured with interviews from both Moren and Buss on Wednesday.
The Hoosiers will take the court for the first time in an exhibition against University of Indianapolis at home Nov. 6.
Jake Thomer
