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Gallery | Reflecting on Illinois’ 2025-26 season

The Illinois women's basketball team looks out to the fans following a victory over Bellarmine on Dec. 2, 2025. Illinois won with a final score of 90-41.
The Illinois women’s basketball team looks out to the fans following a victory over Bellarmine on Dec. 2, 2025. Illinois won with a final score of 90-41.
Noah Markunas

In 2025-26, Illinois saw one of its best seasons in over 20 years. The Illini managed to make it to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. With lots of freshmen on her team this year, head coach Shauna Green knew it would be challenging. Earlier in the season, Green said with this new team, she wasn’t always sure what the issue was or how to fix it. But now, she is more excited than ever.

Freshman guard Destiny Jackson does her pregame handshake leading up to the Illinois v. Maryland game on Jan. 1. Illinois would go on to win by a final score of 73-70.
Freshman guard Destiny Jackson does her pregame handshake leading up to the Illinois v. Maryland game on Jan. 1. Illinois would go on to win by a final score of 73-70. (Noah Markunas)
Head coach Shauna Green speaks to Illinois fans following a 92-60 win over Wisconsin on Feb. 11.

“I just think this whole year has just taught us so much, and now we’ve got to use this and take all those lessons and put it into next year,” Green said. “Now we won’t be the youngest team, we won’t be any of that, but now we are an experienced team that can reference back to remember when this happened, and this is what we did, and we did that even at our last few games.”

Head coach Shauna Green speaks to Illinois fans following a 92-60 win over Wisconsin on Feb. 11. (Noah Markunas)
Illinois tips off against North Texas at the State Farm Center on Dec. 14, 2025. The Illini beat the Mean Green 81-69.
Illinois tips off against North Texas at the State Farm Center on Dec. 14, 2025. The Illini beat the Mean Green 81-69. (Sarah Slattery)

“That has me even more optimistic and more excited to get back with these guys and get back to work because they’re ready to go, and they’re committed, and they’re hungry,” Green said.

Junior guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger gets set for a jump shot during the Illinois v. North Texas game on Dec. 14, 2025. Illinois would go on to win the game 81-69.

“For me, it means a lot to be a part of this program,” said junior guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger. “The reasoning is just because there’s no excuses, and kind of what our standards are.”

Junior guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger gets set for a jump shot during the Illinois v. North Texas game on Dec. 14, 2025. Illinois would go on to win the game 81-69. (Noah Markunas)
Sophomore forward Berry Wallace talks with a reporter following an Illinois victory over Illinois State on Nov. 9, 2025, where Wallace led the way with 23 points and 7 rebounds.

“I think I just learned a little bit more so what I’m capable of,” said sophomore forward Berry Wallace about being at the top of scouting reports. “It means a lot, the confidence that my coaches and my teammates have in me, and they try to put me in the best possible situations on the court to succeed.”

Sophomore forward Berry Wallace talks with a reporter following an Illinois victory over Illinois State on Nov. 9, 2025, where Wallace led the way with 23 points and 7 rebounds. (Noah Markunas)

Sophomore forward Berry Wallace goes up for a contested layup during the Illinois v. USC game on Feb. 8. Illinois lost with a final score of 62-70.

“I think the biggest thing I take from this season is just, like, your response to adversity is the most important thing,” Wallace said. “I think we learned a lot about ourselves as a team, and I know I did, as well.”

Sophomore forward Berry Wallace goes up for a contested layup during the Illinois v. USC game on Feb. 8. Illinois lost with a final score of 62-70. (Noah Markunas)
Graduate student guard Gisela Segura was honored during the senior day celebration following the conclusion of the Illinois v. Minnesota game on March 1.

“I think we’re learning all the little things matter. Every single game matters, and I think that’s what we can take from this March Madness tournament,” Brown-Hagger said.

Graduate student guard Gisela Segura was honored during the senior day celebration following the conclusion of the Illinois v. Minnesota game on March 1. (Noah Markunas)
Sophomore forward Berry Wallace shoots a free throw in front of the rowdy Illinois band during the Illinois v. Northwestern game on Jan. 18. Illinois would go on to win by a final score of 74-71. (Noah Markunas)
Head coach Shauna Green talks to her players during a timeout during the Illinois v. Indiana game on Dec. 6, 2025. Illinois would go on to win the game 78-57.

“I know we’ve got to take some time off, but I’m ready to get back to practice and get going and preparing for next year.”

– Shauna Green

Head coach Shauna Green talks to her players during a timeout during the Illinois v. Indiana game on Dec. 6, 2025. Illinois would go on to win the game 78-57. (Noah Markunas)
The Illinois bench celebrates a three point basket during their game against Indiana on Dec. 6, 2025. Illinois would go on to win the game 78-57.
The Illinois bench celebrates a three point basket during their game against Indiana on Dec. 6, 2025. Illinois would go on to win the game 78-57. (Noah Markunas)
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About the Contributor
Laura Mendes
Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter
Hi! My name is Laura Mendes, and I’m a junior majoring in communications and minoring in business and public relations. This is my second year as a part of The Daily Illini, and I have covered sports such as football, men’s and women’s gymnastics and women’s swim and dive. Now I am lucky to be one of the Senior Sports Reporters for the Sports section! Outside of The DI, I love to listen to music, drink coffee and spend time with my friends!