Sure! Here’s a 1500-word article draft titled “This Big Ten Women’s Basketball Team Is an Early Winner of Transfer Portal Season”:
This Big Ten Women’s Basketball Team Is an Early Winner of Transfer Portal Season
The women’s college basketball world may have just witnessed the most chaotic, talent-rich transfer portal window in recent memory — and one Big Ten program is standing head and shoulders above the rest as the early winner of the 2025 portal cycle.
Yes, Indiana — a program already on the rise under head coach Teri Moren — has completely capitalized on the transfer portal frenzy, retooling and reloading in record time. With strategic additions, critical roster retention, and a clear vision for championship contention, the Hoosiers have emerged as the biggest winners of the early transfer window among Big Ten teams, and perhaps nationally.
Let’s take a look at how Indiana pulled this off — and why the rest of the conference should be on high alert.
The beauty of the transfer portal is that it allows programs to rapidly reshape their roster — if they know what they’re doing. While many schools across the country are either scrambling to fill gaps or suffering painful losses, Indiana has taken a proactive, calculated approach.
After losing three key seniors from last year’s Sweet 16 squad, including All-American guard Grace Berger to the WNBA, many expected Indiana to take a step back. Instead, Moren and her staff worked the portal with precision.
They weren’t just looking for “talent.” They were searching for “fit.” And they found it.
The Hoosiers landed perhaps the biggest fish in the entire transfer market: former five-star forward Janiya Barker from Georgia.
Barker, a 6-foot-4 do-it-all forward, brings elite length, defensive versatility, and an emerging offensive game that will make her an instant centerpiece in Bloomington. As a sophomore with the Lady Bulldogs, Barker averaged 13.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game — numbers that barely scratch the surface of her ceiling.
What makes her so dangerous in Indiana’s system is her ability to switch defensively on the perimeter, stretch the floor on offense, and play at multiple positions. Moren is known for her half-court discipline and defensive identity, and Barker’s skillset perfectly complements that philosophy.
In an era where programs are desperate to add height and athleticism, Indiana just added both — in a single, dominant player.
With the graduation of Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana lost one of its all-time greats and a foundational piece of its program. The post-Holmes era could’ve easily signaled a rebuilding year.
Not so fast.
The Hoosiers not only added Barker but also landed Taya Davis, a 6-foot-2 forward from Oregon State, who brings grit, rebounding, and elite post-defense. While Davis doesn’t score at the same clip as Holmes, she’s a relentless rim protector who will help form one of the most feared frontcourts in the Big Ten alongside Barker.
With Holmes gone, Moren appears to be moving toward a more versatile, perimeter-oriented approach — and this duo gives her that flexibility while maintaining interior toughness.
It’s not just the frontcourt where Indiana struck gold.
The Hoosiers also welcomed Olivia Miles, the electric point guard transferring from Notre Dame after missing much of the 2024 season due to injury. When healthy, Miles is arguably the best playmaker in the nation — a dynamic guard with elite court vision, creativity, and a knack for clutch performances.
Her arrival completely transforms Indiana’s offensive ceiling. Imagine Miles pushing the tempo in transition with Barker filling the lane, or running high pick-and-rolls with Davis. That’s a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Indiana also retained sharpshooter Sara Scalia, who shot 41.2% from three last season and led the team in perimeter scoring. With Miles now commanding defensive attention, Scalia could find even more clean looks from beyond the arc.
This is now a team with multiple ball-handlers, elite passing, and reliable three-point shooting — a formula that wins in March.
What sets Indiana apart from other portal-heavy teams is how they’ve managed to blend new talent without compromising culture. Under Teri Moren, the Hoosiers have built a locker room defined by toughness, defense, and accountability.
That’s why players like Barker and Miles chose Indiana. It wasn’t just about playing time or NIL deals — it was about a clear identity and a coach with a track record of developing talent.
The team’s returning veterans, including Scalia, Chloe Moore-McNeil, and Sydney Parrish, have embraced the influx of talent. There’s no ego. Just a shared hunger to win.
That’s rare in the transfer portal era. And that’s why Indiana is dangerous.
While Indiana has fortified its roster, other Big Ten powerhouses are reeling.
- Iowa, fresh off Caitlin Clark’s historic run, is bracing for a major transition. With Clark, Kate Martin, and Gabbie Marshall all gone, the Hawkeyes have yet to land a marquee transfer and could slide in the standings next season.
- Ohio State retained key pieces but hasn’t made a splash in the portal. They’ll rely heavily on continuity, which worked in 2024, but questions remain about their scoring depth.
- Maryland lost several players to the portal and is still in search of replacements. Brenda Frese has work to do to stabilize the roster.
- Michigan and Illinois have made incremental moves, but nothing that matches the star power Indiana has brought in.
In short, while most of the Big Ten is either standing pat or plugging holes, Indiana is making championship moves.
It’s no accident that Indiana is thriving.
Teri Moren has quietly become one of the most respected coaches in women’s basketball. She’s built the Hoosiers from a middling program into a perennial contender — and now, with the transfer portal as a tool, she’s closing the gap with the national elites.
This isn’t just a good offseason for Moren. It’s a statement.
She’s saying Indiana isn’t here to “compete.” It’s here to win.
And if this roster stays healthy, the Hoosiers will enter 2025–26 as a legitimate Final Four threat — with a roster stacked from top to bottom, experience at key positions, and a coach who knows how to win tight games.
With the summer offseason training period set to begin soon, all eyes will be on how quickly Indiana can integrate its new stars into its system.
There are still a few spots left open on the roster, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Moren added one more depth piece — possibly another shooter or backup point guard. But even if she stands pat, Indiana’s roster is already one of the most complete in the country.
Fans are dreaming big. And with good reason.
Indiana’s transfer portal success story isn’t just about landing big names. It’s about building a modern contender through smart, targeted moves that enhance an already strong foundation.
They’ve:
- Replaced elite talent with elite talent.
- Upgraded athletically across the board.
- Strengthened both ends of the floor.
- Maintained their locker room culture.
In a sport that’s evolving faster than ever, the Hoosiers aren’t just keeping up — they’re leading the way.
And if their portal haul is any indication, the rest of the Big Ten — and the nation — better take notice.
Because Indiana women’s basketball isn’t just winning the transfer portal.
They’re building a dynasty.
Let me know if you’d like this tailored toward a specific publication style (like ESPN, Bleacher Report, or a university-affiliated tone), or if you want a different team focused on instead!