After securing its second conference win of the season, Illinois (12-1, 2-0) is gearing up for its biggest challenge so far: the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins (14-0, 2-0). The Terrapins will no doubt be a challenge for the Illini as they have not seen any ranked opponents this season.
A win against the Terrapins would be game-changing for the Illini. It could finally put Illinois in the AP Top 25 and help it receive more national attention.
“We just got to worry about us,” said head coach Shauna Green. “Just really being poised and valuing possessions against this team and their pressure.”
With such talent coming to State Farm Center to start off 2026, let’s dive into some of the biggest challenges for Illinois. Maryland brings in strong guards, but Illinois has a few guards of its own ready to challenge them.
Maryland: Saylor Poffenbarger
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Redshirt senior guard Saylor Poffenbarger is one of Maryland’s most versatile players. Illinois needs to be able to guard her at the arc since she brings in a high 41% on her 3-point shots. Poffenbarger recently celebrated 1,000 career points, showcasing just how much talent she has been able to accomplish in her collegiate career.
Poffenbarger is a Maryland native, but she played at two previous schools before going back home. In Poffenbarger’s last season, she is exploding as a Terrapin. She experienced her career-high of 30 points and is averaging over six rebounds per game.
The Illini need to learn Poffenbarger’s ways on the court, especially from three, if they want to minimize her shots made. Despite only averaging 11.7 points per game, when Poffenbarger is guarded correctly, she scores less than 10 points typically.
Maryland: Oluchi Okananwa
Junior guard Oluchi Okananwa leads the Terrapins in points and steals this season which can be a dangerous combination in a player. However, Okananwa also leads the Terrapins with turnovers which can help the Illini. If Illinois can force turnovers on Okananwa, it has the ability to turn those turnovers into points on the board.
Okananwa is another transfer to Maryland this year who is helping elevate the team. She’s scored double-digits in 12 of Maryland’s 14 games this season and is averaging just under 17 points per game currently.
Okananwa is a dependable player for the Terrapins in the paint. Okananwa can be inconsistent when it comes to her 3-point shots. However, in contrast to Poffenbarger, the Illini need to hone in on defending Okananwa in the paint as stats show that she can make a decent amount of her shots there. They also need to force turnovers on her for their best chance at winning.
Illinois: Maddie Webber
If there’s one thing junior guard Maddie Webber can do it’s make a 3-point shot. Webber leads the Illini in her 3-point percentage at 46.9%. Despite being a starter at Villanova, Webber makes a strong sixth woman off the bench for Illinois.
“We need everyone,” Green said. “This is a team. Basketball is a team sport, and for her coming off the bench, I think it brings us the best opportunity to win because I love her instant offense, her instant defense and her instant spark.”
As one of the best players Green picked up from the transfer portal for this season, Green shared just how much she appreciates Webber’s dedication.
“She’s the constant team player,” Green said about Webber. “She’s constantly working to improve. She’s just really dedicated and loyal to what she does. I love that about her. If we could have 20 more Maddies, I would take it every day.”
Webber is clearly one of the key players for Illinois offensively and defensively. If Webber can play at the high level she’s shown before, she is guaranteed to put up a fight.
Illinois: Gretchen Dolan
“My main focus, I think, is just to bring the team together in those moments,” said redshirt sophomore Gretchen Dolan.
Dolan is one of the few returning players on the roster who has experienced this level of Big Ten play before. She is aware of her veteran status and she proves it on and off of the court.
Part of this is because of her ability to make smart plays when it comes to high-pressure moments, showcasing this in her second-half performance against Purdue.
“Coming out of the second half, I knew I wanted to get downhill and come off of those screens and look to attack first,” Dolan said after Sunday’s victory against Purdue. “I was just trying to take what the defense gave me and being aggressive.”
Dolan is continuing to improve her shooting percentage, and that has been crucial for Illinois’ offense. On the defensive side, Dolan is continuing to contribute with her blocks, steals and defensive rebounds.
Against Maryland, Dolan needs to be on her A game both offensively and defensively. This means making a high number of shots on different areas of the court. Dolan also needs to make sure she is continuing to find defensive rebounds and put pressure on Maryland’s offense.
Illinois is set tipoff against Maryland at 3 p.m. CDT at State Farm Center. The matchup is the Illini’s Pack the House game featuring a champagne flute giveaway and autographs after the game.
@lauram0131
