In Illinois women’s basketball team’s last three losses, which have come by a combined six points, one area has consistently hurt the Illini: rebounding.

In the first of the three losses, against Illinois State, the Illini were outrebounded 41-34. In the next two losses, against Purdue and Michigan State, Illinois was outrebounded by an average of 23.5 boards per game. Through 16 games played, the Illini have only outrebounded their opponent five times. They are 5-0 in those games.

Rebounding won’t get any easier when Illinois (9-7, 2-2 Big Ten) faces Nebraska (12-5, 2-2) on Thursday in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers have outrebounded their opponents by 5.5 boards per game, ranking second in the Big Ten. They are led by junior forward Jordan Hooper, who averages 9.1 rebounds per game. Illinois, on the other hand, is last in the conference as a team, being outrebounded by 4.1 boards per game.

“When you play hard, as athletic as we are, we ought to be able to rebound with teams,” Illini head coach Matt Bollant said. “We’ve got to fight, and we’ve got to battle.”

Bollant has consistently stressed rebounding and defense to his team, even dedicating two hours to those areas during Tuesday’s practice. The reason for the Illini’s rebounding troubles has also come from a lack of size.

With junior forward Kersten Magrum sidelined with a concussion, Illinois has had to play with four- and five-guard lineups. Illinois’ foul trouble has also held it back.

Seniors Karisma Penn and Adrienne GodBold lead the Illini in rebounding, averaging 10.2 and 7.0 boards per game, respectively. The pair also commits fouls most frequently, with Penn tied for the team lead in personal fouls with 59 and GodBold leading the team with 4.6 fouls per game in five contests. GodBold fouled out against Georgia, Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan State.

“We have got to be able to keep Adrienne and KP out of foul trouble,” Bollant said. “They’re our two best rebounders. We can’t have them sitting on the bench at the same time. We’ve got to be physically a little bit better and a little bit smarter about how we defend and what we do and just be physically up for the challenge.”

“I play with a lot of energy and a lot of effort, I play really hard,” GodBold said after fouling out against Georgia on Dec. 28. “With that mentality, I have to learn to control myself.”

Although GodBold’s aggressiveness has led to her averaging 4.6 fouls and 5.4 turnovers per game, her style of play has also ignited the team in other areas.

GodBold’s four steals per game during conference play ranks fourth in the Big Ten. Her tenacity has been contagious, as the Illini average 15.2 steals per game with her back, compared with just 10.6 when she was serving her academic suspension, including a 24-steal outburst against Northwestern, the most in a Big Ten game in school history. GodBold has also helped Illinois force 27.4 turnovers per game, up from 22.0 without her. Against Nebraska, forcing turnovers will be easier said than done.

Nebraska leads the Big Ten and is ranked 33rd in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Cornhuskers only turn the ball over 14.8 times per game, the third fewest in the conference. Senior guard Lindsey Moore leads the Big Ten and is 19th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio, dishing out 2.35 assists for every cough up. Perhaps Illini assistant coach LaKale Malone can help Illinois solve Nebraska.

Malone served as an assistant coach under current Nebraska head coach Connie Yori for the Cornhuskers from 2003-07. After five seasons working the same position at Texas, Malone joined the Illinois staff this season under Bollant.

“Obviously, she’s got an insight into what they’re doing,” Bollant said. “She’ll be able to share some things.”

Illinois will head to Nebraska for the first time since 1992 and only the third time in school history. Although Nebraska leads the all-time series 4-2 against Illinois, last season’s contest was the first time the programs played since 1992. The Cornhuskers dominated Illinois in last year’s meeting, winning 67-47 in Champaign. Seven current Illini played in that game, combining to shoot only 10-for-44 from the field. Guards Amber Moore and Ivory Crawford especially struggled, combining to shooting only 3-for-26 in last year’s contest. One of the most effective Illini in that game, Magrum, will be out for Thursday’s matchup.

After a heartbreaking 79-75 defeat against Michigan State in its last outing, the Illini will try to add to its 5-1 record after losses this season.

“It will be interesting to see (how they respond from Michigan State),” Bollant said. “You have to keep fighting. They gave great effort and it didn’t lead to the result they wanted. Can they come back and do the same thing? Can they come back and fight and have a warrior mentality and get after it?”

Michael can be reached at [email protected] and @The_MDubb.