ROSEMONT, IL – Johns Hopkins has been picked to finish third in the Big Ten in a preseason vote of the league's head coaches. In addition, Ava Angello, Reagan O'Brien and Lacey Downey have been named Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch. Three players from each of the league's nine teams were named to the watch list.
 
Defending champion Northwestern is the unanimous favorite to win the Big Ten in 2026. Maryland is second in the poll, with Hopkins in third, followed by Michigan and Penn State. USC, Rutgers, Ohio State and Oregon round out the poll.
 
One of the top defenders in the nation, O'Brien earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-America honors in 2025. She broke the NCAA single season record for caused turnovers (103) and enters the season ranked 12^th in NCAA history with 166 for her career. O'Brien averaged 5.15. caused turnovers and 3.25 ground balls per game.
 
A First Team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention selection, Angello ranked second in the Big Ten in points (90) and third in goals (65). She ranked 20^th in the nation in points and was 17^th in goals. Angello notched 17 multi-goal games and scored at least four goals six times. She ranks 10^th in program history in points (211) and eighth in goals (158).
 
Downey earned First Team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention All-America honors in her first season with the Blue Jays in 2025. A two-way middie, she ranked third on the team in assists (30) and was fourth in both goals (28) and points (58). Downey also totaled 34 ground balls, 25 caused turnovers and 33 draw controls.
 
The top seven teams will make the Big Ten Tournament with the top team in the final league standings earning a bye into the semifinals. The teams that finish second through seventh will play quarterfinal games on Wednesday, April 22. The semifinals are set for Friday, April 24 with the championship game scheduled for Sunday, April 26. Michigan will host all three rounds of the tournament.
 
2026 Big Ten Preseason Poll
1.   Northwestern
2.   Maryland
3.   Johns Hopkins
4.   Michigan
5.   Penn State
6.   USC
7.   Rutgers
8.   Ohio State
9.   Oregon