The Daily Hoosier

IU women ranked No. 11 in ESPN’s way-too-early top-25 for 2022-23

May 5, 2022 Mike Schumann Women's Basketball 2

With the WNBA Draft and transfer portal deadlines behind us, it seems like a good time to look forward in women’s college basketball, and ESPN did just that when it published a so-called “way-too-early” top-25 for the 2022-23 season this week.

Author Charlie Creme thinks Indiana will continue its recent run of nationally relevant high-level play.  He placed the Hoosiers in his top-25 at No. 11, and Creme believes despite some key losses, IU’s transfer portal additions might make them a more well-rounded team next season.

“Losing Nicole Cardano-Hillary, Ali Patberg and Aleksa Gulbe won’t be easy, but the additions of Sydney Parrish (Oregon) and Sara Scalia (Minnesota) give coach Teri Moren two 3-point shooters to pair with the midrange game of Grace Berger and the post play of Mackenzie Holmes,” Creme wrote.

The main question for IU is who will step into the point guard role.  Cardano-Hillary played at a high-level over the last two seasons.  Her absence will test Moren’s ability to lead with defense as has been the case for much of her tenure in Bloomington.

Scalia has the ability to play both on and off the ball, so she is one option at point guard.  Sophomore Kaitlin Peterson could also be ready to step into the role in her second season, and Israel import Yarden Garzon is a highly-touted incoming freshman who can run the point.

Chloe Moore-McNeil came on strong during the second half of the 2021-22 season and has a good chance to step into the starting lineup in what projects to be a highly-talented and deep backcourt.

Another question mark is frontcourt depth behind Holmes.  The Hoosiers are hoping Providence transfer Alyssa Geary and further development by Kiandra Browne are among the main answers there.

Sitting at No. 5, Iowa is the only team above Indiana in the ESPN rankings.

Here is a complete look at who is expected to be on Indiana’s 2022-23 roster, by position and experience:

  • Grace Berger (6-foot guard, senior+, 16.2 ppg)
  • Sara Scalia (5-foot-11 guard, senior, via Minnesota, 17.9 ppg)
  • Chloe Moore-McNeil (5-foot-11 guard, junior, 5.2 ppg)
  • Sydney Parrish (6-foot-2 guard, junior, via Oregon, 8.8 ppg)
  • Kaitlin Peterson (5-foot-9 guard, sophomore, 1.5 ppg)
  • Lexus Bargesser (5-foot-9 guard, freshman)
  • Yarden Garzon (6-foot-2 guard, freshman)
  • Henna Sandvik (6-foot guard, freshman)
  • Alyssa Geary (6-foot-4 forward, senior+, via Providence, 9.6 ppg)
  • Mona Zaric (6-foot-2 forward, sophomore, .2 ppg)
  • Lilly Meister (6-foot-2 forward, freshman)
  • Mackenzie Holmes (6-foot-3 forward/center, senior, 15.2 ppg)
  • Kiandra Browne (6-foot-2 forward/center, junior, 2.9 ppg)
  • Arielle Wisne (6-foot-5 center, redshirt junior, 0 ppg)

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