Illinois womenʼs basketball (3-2) sets its sights on the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State (1-5) after swiftly taking care of Canisius University this past Sunday.
Illini fans can most likely expect another barn burner from the offense, but for the team, it’s the consistency on early defensive reps that will help them in the long run.
“I think that’s where it all starts for us on the defensive end,” said head coach Shauna Green. “Being more aggressive, just more intensity, you know? I think some of that just has to come.”
After beginning the season without their senior star guard Makira Cook and missing freshman guard Gretchen Dolan for almost two full games, the Illini are at their perceived full strength for the time being.
Green expects to see Cook look to find a rhythm after some efficiency and turnover woes in her first couple of games back. She isn’t worried about the offense right now, though, even if Cook isn’t producing as much in the points column as originally hoped.
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“No, that’s a good thing, right?” Green said. “If we can score 90 points without Makira (six points), that’s a really good thing for us … She’s coming along.”
Senior guard Genesis Bryant has led the charge in a breakout way for Illinois so far this season in Cook’s absence, as she is now averaging over 20 points per game. Senior forward Kendall Bostic was not her usual self in the Notre Dame game, but expect her to continue her hyper-effective season on Wednesday.
Junior guard Adalia McKenzie has found her stride in recent games too, which is essential for the Illini heading into Power 6 matchups with Michigan and Missouri in the next couple of weeks.
As for the Blue Devils, they are off to a rocky start to the season, including a loss to Saint Peter’s that Illinois dismantled to the tune of a 70-point win. Central Connecticut State scores a lowly 54 points per game, which is good for No. 326 in the country and 27 points lower than Illinois’ 81.8 points per game. Illinois should be able to pack the paint, lucky Kendall Bostic, as the Blue Devils roster consists of zero rotation players who shoot over 30% from three.
If Central Connecticut State wants to put up a fight, it will have to look for big days from its leading scorers, junior guard Belle Lanpher and sophomore guard Samora Watson who just transferred in from East Carolina University. However, it will be an uphill battle as the Devils only roster three six-footers and nobody who averages more than six rebounds a game.
It’ll be a brisk November evening, but the atmosphere in the State Farm Center will be hot. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
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