Following a loss to USC (16-9, 8-6) to open its homestand, Illinois (17-8, 7-7) responded with an electric 32-point win over Wisconsin (13-13, 5-10). Now, the Illini look to close their final home stretch against the Rutgers Scarlett Knights (9-16, 1-13) with the burst they need to finish the regular season strong.
“We learned from that game as well,” said sophomore forward Berry Wallace. “It was good just to keep us with positive energy and having it compel us into the next game. We’ve had great practices since then because of the game.”
Head coach Shauna Green said that the team changed up practice structure and film sessions after its losses to Oregon (18-9, 6-8) and USC. They focused more on the positive stretches of high-level play on offense and defense.
“We showed film from the last few games of all of the positives … of us doing it at an elite level,” Green said. “I think they needed to see them doing it right. We’re capable of doing it was my message.”
That positive reset showed its benefits against Wisconsin. Every Illini took the floor, which will boost the team as redshirt sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan is still missing time. In the postseason, Illinois will need that depth.
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“Everyone did a really good job,” said redshirt sophomore center Lety Vasconcelos. “Even players who don’t usually get as much playing time got in the game, which is really good for the team. Overall, it gives a lot of confidence in what we can look like when everyone’s giving the best version of themselves.”
Tuesday’s matchup will come down to rebounding and paint production. Both teams rely heavily on their forwards to create those second chances, but strong scoring efforts will be just as critical.
Vasconcelos versus Lester
Vasconcelos stands at 6-foot-7, which gives the Illini a clear size advantage over the entire Scarlet Knights team. In addition to her height, Vasconcelos has grown more aggressive on the glass in recent games. Even though she only averages 3.3 rebounds per game, in her last three outings she grabbed six, four and six. This is her best three-game stretch of the season.
“I feel like I’ve been really intentional in just going after the balls and just grabbing as many rebounds as possible,” Vasconcelos said. “Utilizing my height and how long I am, and help the team in that area.”
But, Rutgers senior forward Imani Lester will test Vasconcelos’ ability on the boards. Lester is Rutgers’ second-highest scorer, averaging 11.1 points, and is the team’s rebounding and blocking leader. Her ability around the rim, combined with her 6-foot-1 build, will likely test Vasconcelos defensively. She is most efficient in the paint and had a near 20-point performance in Rutgers’ win over Penn State. She finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.
However, Lester is far more of a danger on the glass than in scoring. Against Penn State (9-17, 2-13), she shot 7 for 20 from the floor and went 1 for 3 from the free-throw line. Illinois needs to prioritize getting Lester off of her spots and forcing her away from the basket on both ends of the floor. This way, the Illini can limit Rutgers’ second chance opportunities.
In that win, Rutgers out-rebounded Penn State 39-36. Then again, in their most recent loss to Purdue (12-13, 4-10), Rutgers again out-rebounded their opponent 32-30. While the Boilermakers bested the Scarlet Knights in scoring, losing those rebounding battles may make the game closer than the Illini want. Disciplined rebounding, especially from the Illini’s center, will be critical to controlled the game for all four quarters.
Guyton versus Ndiaye
Illinois sophomore guard Aaliyah Guyton and Rutgers junior forward Nene Ndiaye are both coming off of monster stretches of play that will make the scoring effort interesting on both sides.
Guyton had her best collegiate performance to date, recording a career-high 22 points and hitting all six of her three-point attempts. Three of those triples came in the first quarter and set the tone of the game early in Illinois’ favor.
“They say practice makes perfect,” Guyton said. “It’s really just the consistency that it brings. It’s been allowing me to build my confidence.”
After the Wisconsin game, Green also emphasized Guyton’s growth on defense.
“I kept telling her to just continue to defend because I know you can score,” Green said. “Continue to lock in. I thought the last couple weeks she’s been defending so much better.”
On top of that, Guyton’s activity on the glass has been improving steadily as well. She collected two offensive rebounds against Wisconsin and grabbed eight across her three previous games. If she is able to put all of her offensive and defensive growth together on Tuesday, Rutgers will have a tough time taking control of the game.
However, Ndiaye won’t make it easy for Guyton to repeat her historic night. The junior is the Scarlet Knights’ biggest offensive threat. She leads the team with 15.5 points while also averaging 5.2 rebounds. She is also the team leader in steals, with 33 to date. Most importantly, Ndiaye is coming off of her own career outing: a back-to-back 25-point performance.
Ndiaye has shown that she can beat out taller and tougher players when it comes to controlling the paint and grabbing loose balls. Illinois will need to shut her down defensively, which will require a whole team effort. If the Illini find a way to contain her and keep her from scoring, the game will tip largely in their favor.
Game information
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST at State Farm Center and streamed on Big Ten Network.
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