Nebraska
Minnesota, Nebraska rise in USA TODAY Sports Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings
Hear from Iowa women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen ahead of Hawkeyes at Illinois
Hear from Iowa women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen ahead of Hawkeyes at Illinois
Conference play is in full swing for Big Ten women’s basketball, with elite matchups on the docket all throughout each week.
Minnesota and Nebraska are on the rise, and the teams at the top haven’t missed a beat.
Here are the latest USA TODAY Sports Network Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings. Rankings are reflective of games through Jan. 8.
1. UCLA (16-0)
Previously: No. 1
What to know: The Bruins keep rolling right along, having snagged road wins at Indiana and Purdue. UCLA won’t face another nationally ranked team until Jan. 26.
2. USC (15-1)
Previously: No. 2
What to know: The Trojans completed a successful East Coast swing with road wins over Rutgers and Maryland. USC doesn’t have another ranked matchup as of now until Feb. 2.
3. Ohio State (15-0)
Previously: No. 4
What to know: Wednesday’s big road win at Michigan adds significant substance to Ohio State’s hot start. The Buckeyes don’t have another ranked matchup until Jan. 23.
4. Maryland (14-1)
Previously: No. 3
What to know: Wednesday’s home loss to USC was offset some by wins over Rutgers and Iowa since the last rankings. A daunting stretch is upcoming, though, with Maryland set to face three top-10 teams between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26.
5. Minnesota (16-1)
Previously: No. 8
What to know: There are still strength-of-schedule questions, especially considering Minnesota dropped its only ranked matchup so far. But the Golden Gophers continue ripping off wins to balance things out. A Tuesday trek to Maryland will put Minnesota under the microscope.
6. Michigan State (12-3)
Previously: No. 5
What to know: Wednesday’s road loss at Nebraska marked Michigan State’s third loss in its last four games. The Spartans will look to get back on track Sunday versus Washington.
7. Iowa (12-3)
Previously: No. 6
What to know: The home stumble against Maryland was a disappointing one, especially considering many foes don’t escape Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a victory. Looking at current rankings, the Hawkeyes won’t face another top-25 team until Feb. 2. Iowa needs to stack wins until then.
8. Nebraska (12-4)
Previously: No. 10
What to know: The Cornhuskers needed their 2-0 showing since the last poll, after dropping three straight ranked matchups in a 10-day span. Road trips to Rutgers and Iowa are upcoming.
9. Indiana (11-4)
Previously: No. 7
What to know: The Hoosiers gave it a whirl against No. 1 UCLA, but Indiana couldn’t pull out the home upset last weekend. After winning at Northwestern on Wednesday, the Hoosiers have a tricky trip to Iowa on Sunday.
10. Michigan (10-5)
Previously: No. 9
What to know: The Wolverines have suddenly dropped three straight after Wednesday’s upset bid at Ohio State fell short. Michigan has a favorable matchup Saturday at Purdue to get back on schedule.
11. Washington (12-4)
Previously: No. 11
What to know: The Huskies have won five straight but are currently set to face four ranked teams in their next six games.
12. Illinois (11-4)
Previously: No. 12
What to know: The Fighting Illini need some positive momentum after consecutive losses to Washington and Minnesota.
13. Oregon (11-4)
Previously: No. 13
What to know: An upcoming East Coast road swing offers Oregon a chance to climb in the coming days.
14. Wisconsin (10-6)
Previously: No. 14
What to know: Wisconsin is on a four-game losing streak after its West Coast trip to Oregon and Washington produced two losses. Things don’t get any easier with upcoming games against Maryland and Ohio State.
15. Penn State (9-6)
Previously: No. 15
What to know: Already on a four-game losing streak, the path gets even tougher for Penn State with road trips to USC and UCLA lurking.
16. Rutgers (8-8)
Previously: No. 16
What to know: The Scarlet Knights will host Nebraska on Sunday, trying to snap a four-game losing streak.
17. Purdue (7-8)
Previously: No. 17
What to know: Purdue enters Saturday’s game against Michigan on a three-game losing streak.
18. Northwestern (7-9)
Previously: No. 18
What to know: Northwestern will enter its West Coast swing to UCLA and USC on a four-game losing streak.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
HARTINGTON, Neb. (KTIV) – The 38th annual Tour de Nebraska bicycle ride started Wednesday morning, June 24, sending more than 200 cyclists from across 21 states on a five-day trip that begins and ends in Hartington.
Day 1 consisted of a 50-mile ride from Hartington to Vermillion, South Dakota. Tour Director Charlie Schilling said the weather was “absolutely gorgeous” as riders took in parts of Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa from their bikes.
Ray Hanley, visiting from Little Rock, Arkansas, said he rides “three, four days a week” and has ridden in 30 countries. Randy and Therese Kiser said they have biked in several foreign countries — including Italy, Portugal, Croatia and Ireland — and decided to ride in Nebraska this year.
Schilling said the tour relies on community partners and rest-stop towns along the route to support riders and help create a good experience. Riders also pointed to support along the way, including food, access to bike mechanics and hospitality.
What’s next on the route
On Day 2, riders are scheduled for a 54-mile loop through Elk Point, South Dakota, and Akron, Iowa, before returning to Vermillion. Schilling said some cyclists plan to ride a “century,” or 100 miles, on Day 2.
From Vermillion, the route continues to Crofton, Nebraska, before the ride returns to Hartington for the finish.
Schilling asked drivers to be courteous around cyclists and help keep everyone safe.
Local rider finishes Day 1 in four hours
KTIV also spoke with Gabe Broz, a Nebraska rider who finished Day 1 in four hours. Broz said gummy worms and gummy bears are his “secret trick” along the trail.
Broz said the hills were not too bad, but the wind was “kind of a killer” for him.
Day 2 for riders is scheduled to include Elk Point, South Dakota; Akron, Iowa; and Spink, South Dakota, before returning to Vermillion.
Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.
Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
UNMC teams with Central Nebraska Health Departments to assess needs, test water after March wildfires
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – A Grand Island lottery player is holding a winning ticket worth $22,000, according to the Nebraska Lottery.
Officials said one ticket purchased for the Monday, June 22 2by2 drawing matched all four winning numbers to claim the game’s top prize.
The Nebraska Lottery confirmed the ticket was sold at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 118 Wilmar Ave. in Grand Island.
The winning numbers for the June 22 drawing were Red 10 and 18, and White 17 and 23.
Nebraska Lottery officials noted winning lottery tickets expire 180 days after the drawing, and prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Nebraska Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. More information on claiming prizes is available at nelottery.com or by calling 800-587-5200.
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Copyright 2026 KSNB. All rights reserved.
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