“I think we are a good example (of what can happen in the Big Ten),” Bluder said of her team. “You look at those standings early and they can change — that’s pretty early after four or five games. Things can obviously change over the course of an 18-game schedule.”

Big, bad Braun

One of the breakout players in the Big Ten this year has been Indiana guard Jamie Braun. In the Hoosiers’ 70-56 win over the Spartans at Breslin Center, the sophomore led the Hoosiers with 18 points, five assists and five rebounds.

According to Wisconsin head coach Lisa Stone, Braun has shown a maturity beyond her years on the court this season.

“I think Jamie’s a fantastic player,” Stone said. “She can shoot it, she can get to the basket, she’s very, very athletic, she jumps really well and defends well in their defensive scheme. I think she’s doing a very, very good job.

“She’s not playing like a sophomore. She’s playing like a veteran and they really rely on her a lot, and they should.”

Practicing for the postseason

With three teams — Minnesota, Iowa and Purdue — holding a 6-3 record and a share of second place as of Wednesday, every conference game has been a challenge in the Big Ten.

Ohio State head coach Jim Foster, who picked up his 650th career win in a 89-53 win over Penn State on Jan. 28, thinks the competitive balance of the league will provide dividends once the NCAA Tournament rolls around.

“This is the strongest the league has been by far, top to bottom, since I’ve been here,” Foster said.