In the past five years, Indiana women’s basketball has achieved remarkable success, largely due to a talented group of Hoosier legends.
Mackenzie Holmes, Grace Berger, Ali Patberg, Sydney Parrish, Sara Scalia, and Chloe Moore-McNeil are all celebrated names in the program’s history. Under coach Teri Moren, they helped secure five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, achieved four top-four seeds, reached the Sweet 16 three times, made it to the Elite Eight once, and won the Big Ten title in 2023.
With all of these players now having moved on, Moren faces uncertainty heading into the 2025-26 season. After a disappointing NCAA Tournament exit as a No. 9 seed, the 12th-year head coach has been forced to rely heavily on the transfer portal to rebuild a roster that has lost numerous key players.
The efforts made this offseason will significantly influence whether the program can maintain its streak of 10 consecutive 20-win seasons.
Additions
Guards joining the team include Jerni Kiaku (Duquesne), Phoenix Stotijn (Arkansas), Chloe Spreen (Alabama), and freshman Nevaeh Caffey. The forward lineup features Zania Socka-Ngueman (UCLA), Edessa Noyan (Virginia), and freshman Maya Makalusky.
Departures
Key guard departures include Yarden Garzon (Maryland), Sydney Parrish and Chloe Moore-McNeil (both out of eligibility), as well as Lexus Bargesser (Colorado State), Julianna LaMendola (Grand Canyon), and Henna Sandvik (Wyoming). Among forwards, Karoline Striplin and Lilly Meister (Kansas) also departed, with Striplin out of eligibility.
Roster Overview
Losing three-year starters like Parrish and Moore-McNeil presents a considerable challenge, as both have been crucial to the team’s success and provided strong leadership. The unexpected transfer of Garzon, the team’s leading scorer, complicates matters further. Having averaged 14.4 points per game and set the program record for 3-pointers, her departure is a significant blow.
Top Transfer: Stotijn
Phoenix Stotijn, a 5-8 guard from Amsterdam, made an impact at Arkansas, particularly in her freshman year where she started the last 12 games. She stood out with a 23-point game against Texas A&M and demonstrated playmaking potential with multiple assists in key matchups, making her a valuable addition alongside returning scorer Shay Ciezki.
Potential Breakout Returnee: Lenée Beaumont
Lenée Beaumont, the 2023 Illinois Miss Basketball, showed promise as a freshman despite a knee injury sidelining her for the entire 2024-25 season. With three years of eligibility remaining, her development in extending her shooting range could see her make significant contributions this season.
Overall Outlook
Moren has established herself as a top program-builder but faces a challenging period of roster turnover. Instead of temporary fixes through one-year transfers, the focus has shifted toward building a sustainable future. This approach may lead to a rebuilding year; however, it aims for long-term benefits. The absence of Garzon will be felt, and while the team may not reach the NCAA Tournament this season, achieving a seventh consecutive appearance would still be a major accomplishment.
