After a tough loss during its first sellout game this century, Illinois (16-8, 6-7) is in a place of growth and improvement. The Illini fell to the USC Trojans (15-9, 7-6) 70-62 on Sunday. The Illini are now looking to bounce back against the Wisconsin Badgers (13-11, 5-8) on Wednesday.
Sunday’s loss marked the Illini’s second straight loss and handed them a losing conference record. With three games to go before taking on yet another ranked opponent, Illinois needs to focus on the goal ahead and move past its streak of messy games.
Starting off strong
“You just got to come out, play till you can do all you want to do, but you got to come out,” said head coach Shauna Green. “You got to be ready, you got to be focused, and you got to be disciplined, but we will make some changes just to try to see if we can jumpstart that in practice and then see if that carries over.”
The Illini have seemingly fallen into a habit of starting off their games weak. In their last two games, the Illini have struggled to score in the first quarter. In its last two games, Illinois is averaging 31.25% from the field and 20.85% from beyond the arc in the first quarter.
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With such a young team, it is evident that they are struggling to adjust to the high level of intensity that comes with playing college basketball.
“Right now, we got to really look at this, and we got to make a decision,” Green said. “Some of it is just choices, too. It’s focus, it’s discipline. It’s doing what we need to do in terms of scout.”
Additionally, the Illini need to showcase smarter moves on the court and better read their opponent. Against USC, Illinois failed to make the right choices, and its lack of discipline is what cost it the game in the end.
“At the end of the day, they’re figuring it out,” Green said. “They need to figure some things out together, collectively, individually and as a team. But at the end of the day, it’s my job to get them there, and I’m going to continue to hold them accountable.”
No matter how strong the Illini play in the second half, they need to start off strong, so they don’t have to fight as hard in the end.
Learning to navigate injuries
“There’s nothing that annoys me more than coaches that sit up at their press conference and b—- about their kids like that,” Green said about coaches who complain about injuries. “I just can’t deal with them, and I’ve seen it lately a lot … Gretchen’s hurt. We need Gretchen. Everyone knows that, but you’re not going to hear anything from me.”
Green is determined not to let redshirt sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan’s prolonged absence deter her team from success. Dolan is definitely a crucial part of the Illini’s game offensively and defensively. The Illini are learning to navigate the court without her.
Before her injury, Dolan was averaging over 13 points and nearly 30 minutes per game. Her absence has definitely taken a toll on the Illini’s efficiency and ability to take down their opponents.
It’s been seven games since Dolan’s injury. The Illini have won two of those seven. However, Dolan did play for four minutes during the Washington game. This brings Illinois’ total record to 1-5 without Dolan. With only five games remaining in the regular season, Illinois needs to lock in and learn to win without her as the postseason looms near.
Dolan isn’t the only Illini with an injury. Sophomore forward Berry Wallace recently suffered a facial injury that has put her in a face mask.
“I’m feeling good,” Wallace said. “I’m just glad that I can still play, you know, there’s sports injuries where you’re out for a while, so I’m just thankful that I’m still able to go out there with my team.”
Despite still scoring 19 points against Oregon, Wallace was quiet Sunday, putting up her fewest points (10) since December. It’s evident that Wallace is going through an adjustment period as she learns to navigate this new challenge.
Her injury is yet another reminder for the Illini that they cannot rest on their laurels when it comes to some of their top players.
Getting used to high-stakes pressure
“Just unbelievable atmosphere, felt like … a March game in February,” said USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the sellout game Sunday.
While it may be February, March and the postseason are just around the corner for the Illini.
Illinois seems to have fallen off its groove since 2026 started. With harder opponents, more two-day prep and increased travel, the Illini have gotten lost in translation on the court. Their field goal, 3-point and free-throw percentages have all fallen in recent games. This has then caused the Illini to score fewer points and lose more games recently as well.
As the postseason and March Madness loom near, Illinois needs to learn to get used to high-stakes pressure. The challenges and opponents get harder from here for Illinois. The Illini need to prove that they are a team to beat and that they are a powerhouse.
A game against Wisconsin is the perfect chance for Illinois to get back on a winning streak. It’s also a chance for it to grow its confidence before the regular season ends.
“I think we were letting the other team (get) comfortable and just catch them all wherever they wanted and run whatever place they wanted,” Wallace said about how they let opponents get comfortable. “So, maybe taking some of those things away from them, from the beginning, can frustrate them.”
The Illini have a better field goal and free-throw percentage than the Badgers to give them a slight edge. The Badgers do, however, have a slightly better 3-point percentage, which means the Illini need to be vigilant in guarding and not let them get comfortable. Wednesday is just another chance for Illinois to bounce back and earn one more win. It is also another chance for Illinois to learn and grow to move forward.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT on Wednesday.
@lauram0131
