Illinois (12-4, 2-3) and Indiana (12-4, 4-1) both enter Thursday’s matchup after defeating Iowa (12-5, 2-4). The Hoosiers have had a lead in the conference season but are level with the Illini overall. Conference-wise, Indiana has only fallen to undefeated No. 1 UCLA (16-0, 5-0), posing a challenge for the battle-tested Illinois group.
Last time out
Unlike Illinois, Indiana led Iowa to begin the game on a 6-0 run. Iowa was on its heels the entire game, only outscoring Indiana in the fourth quarter. However, the Hoosiers had already secured the victory after three quarters of play, and their lead was too large to overcome.
Junior guard Yarden Garzon led her team in scoring, putting up 21 points, 15 of which were from the three-point line. At 6-foot-3, Garzon is not only an efficient shooter but also a formidable defensive asset. She has recorded 23 steals and 11 blocks so far this season. Her perfect game from the arc, going 5-5, will challenge the Illini, who struggle with shooting from afar.
When Illinois faced Iowa a few days earlier, it faced an early deficit when Iowa opened the game on a 6-0 run. However, the Illini showed adaptability when they adjusted at the end of the quarter. They capitalized on their opponent’s turnovers and took control of the speed of the game.
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Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant knocked down two triples despite Illinois’ long-range struggles. There have been only two games where the guard has been unable to convert any of her three-point attempts. Her season best is four made three-pointers, and it has been three games since Bryant converted fewer than two. She will be Illinois’ best shot at answering Indiana’s three-point attack.
All-time series
The Hoosiers lead the Illini 43-31 throughout all of their meetings since 1982 and have dominated since 2014. The Illini’s most recent win was last season with a definitive 86-66 victory. Before that, however, the Hoosiers had won every game since 2013.
Standout returners who impacted last year’s game
Returning Hoosiers Garzon and graduate student guard Chloe Moore-McNeil stood out in last year’s meeting. Garzon scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds, in addition to shooting 3-8 from beyond the arc. Moore-McNeil contributed seven points, two rebounds, three assists and her own three-pointer.
The only other returning Hoosiers to put up points in the matchup were junior guard Lexus Bargesser and junior forward Lilly Meister. Together, the two scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds. Meister recorded a block, and Bargesser had five assists.
This season, Meister has earned a regular starting slot. She averages 10.8 points per game and has blocked a shot 14 times. On the flip side, Bargesser, who started nine games last season, now plays exclusively off the bench. The guard averages a low 3.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. This is on par with her stats from last season, giving insight into her removal from the starting rotation.
On the Illinois side, Bryant, senior guard Adalia McKenzie and fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic started against Indiana in its last outing. However, fifth-year guard Makira Cook, who was the leading scorer a year ago with 22 points, will be missing from this game. Illinois will also be without sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan, who scored 11 points and secured three rebounds in the win last season.
Of the returning Illini, Bryant led with 15 points, and McKenzie followed right behind with 14. Bostic added a double-double against the Hoosiers, scoring 12 points and securing 11 rebounds.
Bryant has scored double digits in every Big Ten game so far. She scored over 20 points against Ohio State, Oregon, Minnesota and Washington. While held to 12 points against Iowa, Bryant has put up more points against defenses similar to the Hoosiers.
Battle of boards
The Hoosiers and the Illini have forwards over 6 feet who are efficient at grabbing rebounds and putting points on the board. Meister fills this role for Indiana, boasting the team’s third-highest scoring average and the second-highest in rebounding, averaging 5.1 per game.
Against Illinois’ Bostic, who ranks No. 6 nationally in rebounds with an 11.2 average, Meister will be challenged at the boards. The Illini big has had 10 double-doubles and averages 15.7 points, more than any other Illinois player.
The physicality and agility of the defenses will be key in determining who comes out on top. As a team, Indiana secures fewer rebounds than Illinois and even got outrebounded by Iowa on Sunday despite its victory.
In all but one of the Hoosiers’ losses, they have been outrebounded. While allowing their opponents to grab loose balls may not immediately forfeit them the game, it is a good indicator of the struggles they may face on the glass. Bostic’s command of the boards will likely lead Illinois to dominate this area, giving her team the control it needs to secure a win.
Where to watch
Indiana hosts Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday at 6 p.m. Peacock will stream the game live.
