2019–20 Big Ten Conference women's basketball season


The 2019–20 Big Ten women's basketball season began with practices in October 2019, followed by the start of the 2019–20 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November 2019. The regular season will end in March, 2020.
The Big Ten Tournament will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana in March 2020.

Head coaches

Coaching changes prior to the season

Penn State

On March 9, 2019, Penn State fired head coach Coquese Washington. On April 3, 2019, the school hired Carolyn Kieger away from Marquette to serve as head coach.

Coaches

Notes:

Preseason conference poll

The Big Ten released the preseason ranking on October 23, 2019 which featured a ranking by both media and coaches.

Preseason All-Big Ten

On October 21, 2019, a panel of conference media selected a 10-member preseason All-Big Ten Team and Player of the Year.

Preseason watchlists

Below is a table of notable preseason watch lists.
WoodenNaismithDrysdaleLiebermanMillerMcClainLeslie
Ali Patberg, Indiana
Kathleen Doyle, Iowa
Shakira Austin, Maryland
Kaila Charles, Maryland
Stephanie Jones, Maryland
Taylor Mikesell, Maryland
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Shay Colley, Michigan State
Taiye Bello, Minnesota
Destiny Pitts, Minnesota
Kate Cain, Nebraska
Lindsey Pulliam, Northwestern
Ae'Rianna Harris, Purdue

Preseason national polls

APCBS SportsCoachesESPNESPNW
Illinois
Indiana24162124
Iowa
Maryland45555
Michigan2524242323
Michigan State172125
Minnesota23181617
Nebraska
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Rutgers
Wisconsin

Regular season

Rankings

Early season tournaments

Nine of the 14 Big Ten teams participated in early season tournaments. All Big Ten teams participated in the ACC–Big Ten Women's Challenge against Atlantic Coast Conference teams, the 13th year for the event.
TeamTournamentFinish
IndianaParadise Jam Tournament3rd
IowaPuerto Rico Clasico2nd
MarylandDayton Beach Invitational
Michigan StateJunkanoo Jam3rd
PurdueGulf Coast Showcase2nd
RutgersJunkanoo Jam1st