Led by preseason champ pick UCLA, here are the first USA TODAY Sports Network Big Ten women's basketball power rankings.

The two athletic conferences effectively rule the sport. But they disagree on critical points about its future.

There is plenty to like at the top of the conference, but as the Big Ten proved last season, there are plenty of unknowns.

With a 3-2 conference record, the Bruins currently sit ninth in the Big Ten, which is not only levels above where many projected they'd be going into the season, but exceeding where you'd think they'd be after starting the season the way they did.

Those modest rankings for the Trojans, Hawkeyes, Wolverines and Huskies make their paths to the playoff fairly clear; they will likely need to win out and finish the regular season at 10-2 in order to clinch a berth.

The Badgers will need to reach their top form by the time December rolls around, as the Big Ten Conference is projected to be a gauntlet this year. Fourteen teams are in the top 50 of KenPom entering the season, including six in the top 25 and three in the top 10.

Ohio State dominated. Indiana survived in Week 11. How did all of the action solidify the spots in our weekly Big Ten power rankings?

On the verge of its sixth Big Ten loss, has Penn State ever started Big Ten play 0-6? Here's what to know on Penn State's worst starts and more.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to hold the Hoosiers at No. 2 in the rankings, especially after their 55-10 thrashing of Maryland on Saturday. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has deservedly received most of the buzz, but Indiana’s running game ranks first in the conference, averaging 245.7 yards per game.

Game of the week No. 6 Oregon (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten, No. 9 CFP) at Iowa (6-2, 4-1, No. 20 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS) Iowa still has a shot at a playoff berth by winning the rest of its regular-season games,