2023 Big 10 Conference Forecast

As part of our in-depth preseason college softball coverage, today we dive into the Big 10 and forecast what could be in store for the league during the 2023 season.

For our remaining Conference Forecasts in 2023, we’ve also added a team-by-team breakdown and analysis of every program in the conference. Check that out in Section XI below.

1. Conference Breakdown

Northwestern won the Big 10’s regular-season title last year, finishing a game and a half above Nebraska in the conference standings. The Huskers took home the conference tournament crown, though, beating Michigan in the B1G tournament championship.

Seven Big 10 teams made the NCAA tournament last year – Northwestern was the only conference team to earn a top-16 seed and to host a regional. Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio State all made the tournament as regional 2-seeds, while Wisconsin and Minnesota also made the postseason field after finishing 8th and 9th, respectively, in the regular-season conference standings.

The 14-team rundown of the Big 10’s current membership includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.

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II. Award Predictions

Player of the Year: Billie Andrews, Nebraska
Pitcher of the Year: Danielle Williams, Northwestern
Coach of the Year: Kate Drohan, Northwestern
Conference Champions: Northwestern Wildcats

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