On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Women’s college basketball: 30 mid-major stars to watch in 2021-22--Heat Check CBB

THE SENIOR TOUR

As mentioned before, part of the reason there is so much talent at the mid-major level is that most of last year’s senior class is back for more. Here’s a look at a few of the most notable players taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility and making one final run at the collegiate level.

Macee Williams, IUPUI

Is there a better model of consistency in college basketball than Macee Williams? The IUPUI star has now taken home three Horizon League Player of the Year awards, and with her return confirmed, the 6-foot-2 Williams could be on her way to a fourth. Last season, the Jaguar center went off for 18.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, dominating the Horizon along the way. Williams could end up leaving college as one of the most decorated individuals in history, but the true motivation for this final season will be on getting IUPUI to the NCAA Tournament after the Jags’ 2020 Big Dance ticket — the first in school history, mind you — was torn up due to COVID-19.
NOT SUPER-SENIORS, BUT STILL SUPER

While those seniors are certainly worth all of the accolades they’ve earned, the players in the classes behind them are already poised for greatness. Actually, forget “poised” — these mid-major hoopers are great right now.

Angel Baker, Wright State

Who could forget the stunning performance of Baker during Wright State’s first-round upset of Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament? While that game may have put the Raiders’ star on the national radar, Baker has been a consistent performer for her whole career. Last season, she scored 18 points per game while adding five rebounds, nearly three assists, and more than a steal per game. It may prove difficult to unseat Macee Williams for Horizon League POY, but Baker is as good a bet as anyone to be the one to do it.

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS

As we circle back to the WCC, it is important to note that Gonzaga’s Bree Salenbien is not the only Top 100 recruit from the Class of 2021 star headed for the mid-major ranks — in fact, another one is touching down elsewhere in the conference. Here is a look at three first-year players from ESPN’s Top 75 who will be making big impacts at the lower levels.

Callie Genke, Green Bay

Though the Green Bay program is a few years removed from its incredible run of 20 consecutive Horizon League titles between 1998 and 2018, the Phoenix may be rising once again thanks to a little hometown cooking. Genke, a 6-foot guard, is not only the No. 73 recruit in the nation, but she is also a product of Freedom, Wisc., a suburb just minutes outside of Green Bay. The addition of a some serious local flavor should soften the blow of saying goodbye to team MVP Caitlyn Hibner.

While there is every reason to watch established, powerhouse programs like UConn and Stanford, don’t forget that there’s also a thriving ecosystem just beneath the high-major surface, full of legitimate stars ready to make their mark on the 2021-22 women’s college basketball season.