Illinois (21-7, 11-6) visited California for the first time since the Big Ten expansion that brought in No. 2 UCLA (26-1, 14-1) and No. 4 USC ( 25-2, 15-1). Its trip to Los Angeles ended an eight-game win streak and knocked Illinois out of the AP Top 25 poll.
Now, the Illini get a week-long bye before closing the season against a more equal opponent in Michigan (19-8, 10-6). Despite the losses, the Illini played well against both opponents. With a short bench, it took the team’s full effort to keep the Illini in the mix.
“We’ve always kind of thrived in that underdog role,” said head coach Shauna Green.
*Adalia McKenzie (A-): Senior guard Adalia McKenzie had an 18-point game against the Bruins. It was her fourth consecutive 18-plus-point game, and she was the leading scorer in each. She outpaced the usual top scorers, which include fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic and fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant, in both outings.
“The only one who can defend (Adalia) is (Adalia),” Bryant said. “When she’s locked in mentally, she is a beast on the court. I’m proud of the consistency we’ve had from her this year.”
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She cooled off against the Trojans, holding only 11 points. However, she compensated with an aggressive defensive effort. She was called upon to guard the No. 3 scorer in the nation: sophomore guard JuJu Watkins. While Watkins still scored 22 points, McKenzie didn’t make it easy. Her intense defense meant she had to spend time on the bench; she racked up four fouls in both matches.
*Kendall Bostic (B+): The Illini turn to 6-foot-2 Bostic when they need someone to defend the post. She had some tough assignments on the LA-based teams and was outsized in both meetings. She fought through the height difference valiantly and showed why she’s one of the best rebounders nationally.
On Thursday, she guarded star 6-foot-7 junior center Lauren Betts. In this matchup, Bostic won the rebound battle 11-7. Then, she fought against 6-foot-4 senior center Rayah Marshall in the post during the Trojan game. Bostic came away with more grabs that time, ending with a 16-13.
Bostic also showed off her shooting versatility. Usually, she picks up more points in the paint. Instead, she was forced to find success in the mid-range. She converted two three-pointers against UCLA on five attempts. She was the first Illini to convert one of her tries beyond the arc and pushed her teammates to attempt more shots.
*Brynn Shoup-Hill (B-): Standing slightly taller than Bostic, 6-foot-3 senior forward Brynn Shoup-Hill was asked to help Bostic double Betts and Marshall. As one of the team’s best defenders, she doesn’t allow easy shots or rebounds on either end of the floor.
“A big part of my game is finding confidence and aggressiveness in other ways than scoring,” Shoup-Hill said. “Offensive rebounding is one way I can be aggressive.”
She recorded a season- and career-high four steals in the USC game. She had each exciting steal in the fourth quarter, one minute apart. The first, the forward won the ball off sophomore guard Malia Samuels. She eventually dished it to Bryant, who drained her fourth three-pointer. Then, Shoup-Hill picked off graduate student forward Kiki Iriafen.
Shoup-Hill successfully disrupted some of the Trojans’ flow despite only one of her steals resulting in points. She also grabbed 11 rebounds across both games, seven off the offensive glass.
*Berry Wallace (A-): Freshman forward Berry Wallace had big shoes to fill this season. In her biggest jump yet, she moved from primary sub to starting guard. Her first career start was against the Bruins, and they didn’t make it easy.
She was also thrown into the mix to shut down Betts. Despite the gap in experience and height, she held her own. Wallace secured a near-season-best six boards against Betts and recorded two steals against UCLA.
The freshman only knocked down three combined three-pointers last week. Typically, she hits more than one a game. However, she balanced out her three-point performance by putting up back-to-back double digits: 13 followed by 14. Wallace took on some of the best scorers and defenders in the game, and she came away looking pretty good.
*Genesis Bryant (B): This fifth-year guard is the type of scorer who can set and carry the tone of the game for her team. A slow night for her might mean a slow night for her teammates. She had an uncharacteristically slow night against the Bruins, walking away with only three field goals and two triples.
But then, she matched Watkins and Iriafen for points on Sunday, also dropping 22. She matched her season-best, going five for 10 beyond the arc. Even on her slow nights, she’s there making a difference.
Bryant dumped eight assists, her second-best all season, against the Bruins. She was also perfect from the charity stripe in both games. Her performance there is one of the Illini’s secret weapons when trying to come off the back foot.
Cori Allen (C): Another bench player who has been getting more minutes due to injuries is sophomore guard Cori Allen. She’s not known for being a high scorer or aggressive rebounder, but she is great at rejuvenating her teammates.
She held her own against the team’s toughest slate and even recorded two points against UCLA. She dished out one assist and collected four rebounds across both games. While her impact doesn’t translate to the box score, she has been vital to her shorthanded team.
Hayven Smith (B-): The last freshman to get some floor time was center Hayven Smith. She played for 13 combined minutes in California. Not only was she sent out there to relieve Bostic and Shoup-Hill, but Smith also matched some of the Illini’s taller competitors’ height to even the playing field.
“She did a great job banging in there with Betts,” Green said.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Smith managed two rebounds and two blocks against the Bruins. She stuffed two of Betts’ tip-in opportunities in the paint. Shutting down one of the best players in the league is a feat that Bostic managed only once in that game.
The Illini held on strong against two of the top four teams in the nation, especially for their first time flying to California. The players got good experience they can carry into their final regular season game and beyond into the postseason.
