After defeating Penn State (10-16, 1-14) and Nebraska (17-9, 8-7), No. 25 Illinois improved to 21-5 overall and 11-4 in the Big Ten, pushing its way into the AP Top 25 poll. The two scrappy, hard-fought wins saw some players shine while others appeared off.
*Genesis Bryant (B): Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant led the team to a fourth-quarter comeback against Penn State. Trailing 48-43 going into the final quarter, Bryant flipped the switch. She scored eight points and made two three-pointers to propel Illinois past Penn State.
However, her play against Nebraska was less effective as she shot 3-13 from the floor. She also had five turnovers, the second most she’s coughed up this season. Bryant was less effective with the ball, both in scoring and facilitating.
As the sole point guard left on an injury-stricken team, the Illini lean heavily on Bryant. They trust her to control the offense and keep the ball safe. However, an off-game is expected when the guard plays nearly 40 minutes every game.
*Jasmine Brown-Hagger (C): Sophomore guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger didn’t make much of an impact in either game despite being a starter. She helped in the comeback effort against Penn State, scoring seven points and going perfectly from the floor and the free-throw line in the second half.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Unfortunately, early in the second quarter against Nebraska, Brown-Hagger limped off the court. She wouldn’t return to action for the rest of the game. In the postgame press conference, head coach Shauna Green said the guard had tweaked something in practice and aggravated it further in the game. She didn’t reference how long she would be out but implied that Brown-Hagger could be on the bench for the foreseeable future.
*Adalia McKenzie (A): Senior guard Adalia McKenzie was nothing short of spectacular last week. She led the team in scoring in both games, putting up 19 and 23 points, respectively. She did everything on offense. McKenzie made jumpers and, per usual, drove aggressively to the rim. Against Nebraska, she had an and-one opportunity in what seemed like every other possession.
Her defense was just as good. She was always back on defense in a flash. McKenzie forced multiple jump balls, had five steals across both games and was an aggressive rebounder, grabbing boards in each game.
Her physicality and energy bring out the best in the team, and her impact is visible. In the first half against Nebraska, she looked worn out. When she came out for the third quarter, she looked much more energetic. Her team took notice and played with far more intensity.
“(Adalia) came out in the second half, and her energy is infectious,” Green said. “She starts going downhill. She starts flying around. Everyone starts working even harder.”
*Brynn Shoup-Hill (B-): Despite low scoring totals, senior forward Brynn Shoup-Hill brings intensity. Her rebounding was key in the win over Penn State. She finished with seven rebounds, three of them offensive.
She leads the team in offensive rebounds, averaging just over two per game. Shoup-Hill is an aggressive rebounder and compliments fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic under the rim. Her defense was also solid, and she finished with three blocks and three steals across the two games.
*Kendall Bostic (B+): Bostic had a fluctuating performance during the two games. Against Penn State, she struggled to keep redshirt sophomore center Gracie Merkle quiet. Merkle scored a game-high 15 points, most of which came with Bostic guarding her. Her offensive effort was quieter than usual against the Lady Lions. Bostic scored 12 points, four of those during the second-half comeback.
She looked more like her usual self against Nebraska, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. She found her rhythm in the second half, scoring 12 points on an efficient 6-9 from the floor. She was consistent from a distance as well, smoothly hitting her jumpers.
Berry Wallace (B-): Freshman forward Berry Wallace was another player who had an up-and-down week. Against Penn State, she only played 12 minutes and hit one shot, a three-pointer, early in the second quarter.
In the close battle against Nebraska, however, she excelled. Wallace scored 15 points and went 3-4 from beyond the arc. Her 34 minutes off the bench was the most she’s played in a non-overtime game this season. She looked more aggressive than usual and drove hard to the rim throughout the game.
With Brown-Hagger likely missing some time, Wallace might be next in line to start. Her shooting ability could provide the Illini with much-needed scoring in Brown-Hagger’s absence.
Cori Allen (D): Sophomore Cori Allen once again played only a few minutes in each game. Her impact isn’t often felt. She scored just one point across both games and grabbed three rebounds. She mostly saw the court when another player was in foul trouble or needed a short break.
However, Allen must step up big time without Brown-Hagger in the lineup. She was a good energy boost off the bench against Nebraska, and Illinois will need more of the same moving forward.
As the only other guard on the bench, Allen will likely see her minutes increase. She probably won’t be seen as much of a scoring threat. But, as Green always preaches, Allen must make the hustle plays to help out her team, and the sophomore can do that.
@ben_some16
