The 2024-25 women’s basketball season was one of Illinois’ better years in recent memory. It battled through thick and thin, fighting until the very last game. The Illini weren’t without their bad moments, like season-ending injuries to two of their top scorers.
However, the good outweighed the bad. There were plenty of great moments throughout the season. Here are the top eight:
No. 8: Field trip day
An annual tradition at Illinois, Field Trip Day brings thousands of schoolchildren to State Farm Center. Nearly 13,500 students and fans packed the arena to watch Illinois beat down Le Moyne, 94-25. The win was one of the largest margins of victory in program history.
The kids weren’t just there to watch. They participated too, filling the dome with screams of joy. Listen to the young, passionate fans as they cheered on the Illini.
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No. 7: Highest ranking under Green
Before head coach Shauna Green came to town, Illinois hadn’t been ranked since the start of the century. Now, it has been ranked in three consecutive seasons under Green. The Illini reached a new peak this year.
In week four, they rose to No. 19 in the AP Poll after a 5-0 start to the season. It’s not only the highest rank under Green, but the highest since the 1999-00 season. Illinois continues to reach new heights with Green at the helm.
No. 6: 8-game win streak
After an appalling loss to Michigan State, Illinois was speechless. It had simply been outplayed and it knew it. Green and her players promised to be better in the post-game press conference.
The Illini delivered on their promise. They tore through the schedule, going on an eight-game win streak. The streak boosted them into the top five of the Big Ten standings. Illinois proved itself over the course of the month and showed it could hang with any team in the conference.
No. 5: Bostic breaks double-double record
After a season full of broken records, fifth-year Kendall Bostic scratched one more off the list before leaving the orange and blue. In the penultimate game of the season and her career, Bostic recorded a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds.
It brought her season total to 20 and her career total to 54. Her performance also put her above former leader Jenna Smith, officially making her the program leader in double-doubles. Bostic also added yet another accolade to her resume in her final season that appears later on this list.
No. 4: Illinois beats Florida State
It’s a throwback for number four, going all the way back to the first game of the season. Illinois took down then-No. 19 Florida State. The season started on a high note after the win, and it carried through the rest of the season.
There were high expectations for this roster coming into the season. With so many veterans returning, Illinois had to be better than the year prior. This win showed what they were capable of and gave a glimpse of what was to come.
No. 3: Illinois gets first-ever win over Maryland
The Illini went on the road against the then-No. 14 Terrapins with the odds stacked against them. Maryland was a top team in the country, it had a home-court advantage and had never lost to Illinois.
No, that isn’t a typo. Before this season, Illinois was 0-17 against Maryland, its losses dating back to the 1982-83 season.
And yet, the Illini did the unthinkable. With six seconds left, fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant knocked down two free throws to put Illinois up one. It held on to the lead, which gave Illinois its first-ever win over Maryland.
No. 2 Bostic becomes all-time leading rebounder
On Jan. 27, Illinois played Purdue at home. Bostic came into the game with more than just winning on her mind. The forward was 11 rebounds away from becoming the all-time leading rebounder in Illinois history.
In the third quarter, Bostic fought off a Purdue forward to collect the rebound. It was number 11 on the night and 1,218 in her career. The Illinois faithful had been waiting all game for this moment and they reacted accordingly. “Bostic” chants filled State Farm Center as the new leading-rebounder jogged up the court.
In her final year, Bostic etched her name in the record books, cementing her Illinois legacy. Watch the historic moment when she grabbed rebound No. 1,218.
No. 1: First NCAA Tournament win since 2000
Last but certainly not least, No. 1 was a no-doubter. For the first time in 25 years, Illinois won a NCAA Tournament game. In the first round, it took on Creighton. The Illini were in the driver’s seat most of the game and came away with a 66-57 win.
The second the clock hit zero, it became one of the greatest wins in recent program memory. Green and her team took Illinois somewhere it hadn’t been since the turn of the century.
Despite a rough loss to Texas in the next round, the win over Creighton capped a season full of success. Illinois has continued to hit new milestones under Green, and this tournament win may be the start of the next great era of Illinois basketball.
@ben_some16
