Jan. 20, 2003
THE WEEK AHEAD....
At 3-2 in the Big Ten, Illinois takes to the road to meet Ohio State (13-3,
4-1) on Thursday night. The Buckeyes are under first year coach Jim Foster.
Foster and Illini Head Coach Theresa Grentz have each won over
500 games and both have their roots in the coaching hotbed of Philadelphia.
Sunday the Illini meet last year's Big Ten Player of the Year Lindsey Whalen
and the nationally-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-1, 4-1) at 2 p.m. at
the Assembly Hall. Illinois has won seven games in a row at home, tied for
the fifth longest streak in school history.
A LOOK BACK...
Illinois lost to Wisconsin Sunday, 69-59, at Wisconsin. Aminata Yanni
scored 17 points for the Illini. Jer? Issenmann connected on three
three-point shots en route to 10 points. Illinois made seven threes on the
night and led by as many as six (at 49-43) in the second half.
WHAT IT MEANS....
The Illini are in a stretch of games where they play the four teams they are
chasing in the league standings. Five of the next six games are also at
home. At 4-1 Ohio State is one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten. Besides
the Buckeyes, the Illini?s upcoming schedule includes home games with
Minnesota (4-1), Purdue (3-2), and Penn State (5-1). The Illini also play
home and home with Iowa (2-3) and host nationally-ranked UC-Santa Barbara.
With some victories, Illinois can remain in the thick of the Big Ten race.
FOSTER, GRENTZ SHARE PHILLY ROOTS
With the addition of Jim Foster into the league, the Big Ten now has three
head coaches from the mecca of women?s basketball coaches -- Philadelphia.
Rene Portland, Theresa Grentz, and Jim Foster. All three got their head
coaching start at St. Joseph?s in Philly. Theresa Grentz coached St.
Joseph?s in 1974-75 and 1975-76, posting a 27-5 record. Then Grentz?s good
friend Rene Portland took over the reigns, going 47-9 combined in 1976-77
and Oe77-?78. After five years as a high school coach, Foster succeeded
Portland, going 248-126 in 13 years at the post from 1978-1991.
ILLINOIS-OHIO STATE SERIES NOTES
Ohio State leads the all-time series 29-13, but the series has been
dominated by Illinois in the last six years. Illinois is 9-1 vs. the
Buckeyes in the timespan.
The Illini won the only meeting last season, 96-76, in Champaign. Six
Illinois players were in double figures, led by Angelina Williams, who
tallied 23. Dawn Vana (19), Cindy Dallas (15), Iveta Marcauskaite (14),
Tiffanie Guthrie (12), and Jer? Issenmann (11) also reached double digits.
Courtney Coleman led Ohio State with 20.
The last three games in Columbus have gone down to the final minute. On
Jan. 11, 2001, the Illini eked out a 75-73 win. Due to injuries, Ohio State
dressed just six players for the contest. After being down by as many as 11
points in the firsthalf , Illinois came back to tie the game at 36-36 at the
half. With seven seconds to go and the game tied at 73-73, Iveta
Marcauskaite scored the game winner.
Illinois needed overtime to post a 63-57 victory over the Buckeyes in
the Big Ten opener on Dec. 30, 1999. Susan Blauser scored six points in
overtime. Illinois led by 14 in the first half and 32-26 at half, but made
just 4 of 21 field goals in the second half. LaToya Turner had 22 points for
Ohio State.
Ohio State posted its only victory in the last ten meetings on Jan. 8,
1999 by the score of 70-67. Illinois had the ball with less than a minute
left and trailing by only two points, but OSU forced a shot clock violation.
After Ohio State hit 1 of 2 free throws, Illinois had one last chance, but a
trey was missed at the buzzer.
Theresa Grentz is 10-4 all-time vs. Ohio State, 9-2 at Illinois and 1-2 at
Rutgers.
Coach Grentz is 18-4 vs. Jim Foster all-time, all 22 meetings coming while
Grentz was at Rutgers and Foster at St. Joe?s
EIGHT HAS BEEN ENOUGH
Illinois still has one more non-conference game to play (Feb. 13 vs.
UC-Santa Barbara), but the Illini have tied the second most wins in the
non-conference since Big Ten play began in 1982-83 and is tied for the best
non-conference winning percentage in school history (.800). This is just the
fifth time that Illinois has won eight non-conference games in a season. The
previous four resulted in NCAA Tournament bids.
Illinois all-time non-conference marks:
GRENTZ TEAMS WIN BIG TEN ROAD GAMES
The Big Ten home team is a combined 21-6 this season and 67-14 in overall.
With it being so hard to win on the road, it doesn?t hurt to have a coach
whose teams have got it done on the road in years past. Illinois is 1-2 on
the road in the Big Ten this season. The Illini are a combined 28-31 on the
road in the Big Ten under Coach Grentz, Prior to Coach Grentz?s arrival, the
Illini had just one season of .500 or better on the road and a combined
20-96 record.
HOME COOKING FAVORABLE FOR ILLINI
Illinois is a perfect 7-0 at home this season with the three of the six wins
in Assembly Hall coming down to the final minute. The Illini came from
behind to defeat St. Francis, Eastern Michigan, and Indiana. The Illini
three two double digit victories -- over UW-Green Bay, Auburn and Wisconsin
-- at Assembly Hall. The seven wins in a row at home are the most since
winning 10 home games in a row from Nov. 26, 1996-Feb. 21, 1997.
SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE
Coach Grentz will tell you that she has more than five starters. Indeed
seven players have between 20 and 28 minutes per game this year. Every now
and then, however, you have to mix it up.
Following the Auburn game, the coach said, ?It?s just a matter of mixing it
up a little bit. Sometimes when you?re cooking something and it doesn?t have
that certain flavor, you mix it up a little and use different spices.?
Coach Grentz has juggled the line-up twice this season and both times have
created positive results. At the Fiesta Bowl Classic, the coach inserted
Aminata Yanni for Tiffanie Guthrie. Yanni went out and scored 27 points vs.
North Texas and 14 of her 16 points in the first vs. Arizona. Guthrie,
meanwhile, poured in the 30 points off the bench vs. Arizona.
In the last six games, Jer? Issenmann has started for Angelina Williams.
Issenmann scored 11 points vs. Mizzou, tying a career-high, then topped it
with 12 points and three treys while Williams had 24 off the bench vs.
Auburn. Issenmann had 14 points, including four three-pointers vs. Indiana
and 23 points vs. Michigan.
Because of the shift in the line-ups, two of the Illini?s top scorers aren?t
starters. Williams (14.1) and Guthrie (11.9) are first and third on the
Illini in scoring.
YANNI STEADY IN BIG TEN PLAY
Aminata Yanni is leading Illinois in scoring during conference play,
averaging 14.0 points per game. Yanni is among the league leaders in
field-goal percentage (.520) and has 13 assists in five games. Yanni
averaged 8.9 points per game during non-conference play and has raised her
overall average to 10.6 ppg for the season.
COACH GRENTZ JOINS 600 WIN CLUB
Illinois Head Coach Theresa Grentz posted her 600th win on Dec. 29 becoming
just the eighth coach in women?s basketball history to reach that milestone.
The coach has a 603-245 record in 29 seasons overall and a 142-90 mark in
eight seasons at Illinois.
NEVER OUT OF IT
A close look at last year?s season saw a very competitive Illini team. Of
the Illini?s 14 losses, only six were by double-digit, and Illinois lost
five games when leading at halftime.
That trends reversed itself this season.
Illinois has trailed at halftime in four games and has won all four times
--six if you count the exhibition season. That trend started in the
exhibition season. Illinois trailed at the half in both games exhibition
games-- 37-30 to the Dominican Republic and 50-48 to the Reebok Lady Stars.
The Illini prevailed in both.
Then against St. Francis, the Illini followed that trend when in counted,
overcoming an 0-21 mark from three-point range and 28.8 percent field-goal
shooting, to prevail 55-52 after trailing at halftime and much of the second
half.
Against DePaul, Illinois saw its leads dip to a precarious two points late
in the game, but again found a way to win.
Although Illinois spotted Arizona a 25-15 lead in the first half, the Illini
came charging back to take a 40-36 advantage. Arizona surged in front again
in the second half, only to see the Illini charge their way back to two
points falling 75-73.
Illinois trailed Eastern Michigan, 34-32 before winning 65-57.
At Missouri, Illinois trailed 38-33 at the half and 50-43 midway through
the second half before prevailing, 70-67.
In the Big Ten opener vs. Indiana, Illinois trailed 33-22 at the half
after shooting just 25 percent. Illinois trailed 41-28 with 15:20 left in
the game, then began to whittle away, out-scoring Indiana 35-17 the rest of
the game. Jer? Issenmann hit four three-pointers, three in the second half.
THREE-POINT IRONY
Illinois tied a school record by making 12 three-pointers vs. Auburn on Dec.
29. The Illini were 12 of 25 from the arc, including 7 of 11 in the second
half. The other time Illinois made 12 treys came on Nov. 29, 1997 in a
106-74 win over Providence. Ironically, Illinois was also 12 for 25 from
three that day and the win marked the 500th win for Theresa Grentz.
ILLINOIS AND THE THREE-POINT SHOT
Illinois ranks ninth in the Big Ten in three-point shooting (.335), but have
the two best three-point shooting days of any Big Ten team this season.
Illinois has had some impressive performances from the arc. Illinois had
its second-best three-point shooting day in school history, making 11 of 22
against Arizona. The Illini were 12 of 25 from the arc vs. Providence in
Puerto Rico on Nov. 29, 1997. Besides Guthrie?s 7 for 8 shooting, Brett
Leonard was 2 for 3 and Aminata Yanni went 2 for 5.
Then vs. Auburn, Illinois made 12 of 25 to tie its best three-point day.
Angelina Williams made her first six three-points shots and finished the day
6 of 7 from the arc.
Illinois has made 79 three-pointers in 14 games, on pace to make 169 in a
30-game season. The school record for most three-points in a season is 142
in the Big Ten Championship season of 1996-97. Last year Illinois made just
97 three-pointers on the entire season.
The Illini have been feast or famine from the arc. On the positive side
are performances of 9 for 15 (.600) vs. UW-Green Bay, 11 for 22 vs. Arizona
and 12 for 25 vs. Auburn. On the other side are performances of 0 for 21 vs.
St. Francis, 2 for 12 at Illinois State, 5 for 24 vs. E. Michigan, and 3-19
vs. Wisconsin.
Illinois is third in the Big Ten in three-pointers made (86).
OHIO STATE WAS WILLIAMS BREAKOUT GAME IN 2002
Angelina Williams earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors last season, mostly do
to a late-season explosion. Against Ohio State, Williams had 23 points,
seven rebounds, six assists and six steals. She followed that up with 16
points vs. Penn State the next game and tallied 14 points later that season
at Iowa.
WILLIAMS NAMED BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Illinois reaped the rewards of the victory over Auburn with sophomore
forward Angelina Williams being named Big Ten co-Player of the Week.
Williams nailed her first six three-point shots and finished 6 of 7 from the
arc for the game en route to a career-high 24 points. The sophomore added
six rebounds, made 8 of 10 from the field, and canned both of her free throw
attempts.
Williams previous best game came against Ohio State last season when she had
23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals.
Williams leads four Illinois players who average in double figures, now
averaging 14.6 points per game. She is tops on the squad with 25 steals,
averages 4.9 rebounds game, and is shooting .818 from the free-throw line.
DUNKIN ILLINI
During the Pre-season Midnight Madness, the Illini unveiled its pre-season
?freestyle? video, which showcased several of Illinois? ball handling skills
and a dunk from Angelina Williams
POLLS, RANKINGS, ETC.
Illinois garnered 7 votes in the Associated Press poll, sixth of those teams
also receiving votes. Purdue (7), Minnesota (9), Penn State (17) and Ohio
State (23) are in the AP rankings.
Illinois is ranked No. 20 in the latest RPI ratings with the 26th ranked
strength of schedule. Seven of Illinois? opponents are ranked in the top 25
-- Minnesota (10), Purdue (12), Penn State (13), Mississippi State, UW-Green
Bay (16), Arizona (19), and DePaul (25).
Two teams whom Illinois has beaten are ranked this week. UW-Green Bay is
16th in the Associated Press poll. DePaul is 25th. The Illini defeated
UW-Green Bay, 78-65, in the season opener, and DePaul, 71-67, on Dec. 4.
GUTHRIE, YANNI NAMED TO FIESTA BOWL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Tiffanie Guthrie and Aminata Yanni were each named to the All-Tournament
Team at the Fiesta Bowl Classic. Guthrie scored 30 points in the
championship game vs. Arizona and posted the second most three-pointers in
school history by nailing 7 of 8 from three-point range. Guthrie also had
five steals and four rebounds and made 10 of 14 from the field in the
championship game. Guthrie is now 10 of 19 from three-point range for the
year.
Yanni scored 27 points off the bench in the win over North Texas. Besides
points, Yanni also set a a career high for free throws made, going 8 of 9
from the line. Her previous career high was 17 points vs. UW-Green Bay. She
almost had that in the first half with 15 points. Yanni didn?t stop there,
scoring 13 of her 16 points in the first half in the championship game. For
the weekend, Yanni was 14 of 26 from the field (53.8 percent), 5 of 11 from
three-point range (45.4 percent), 10 of 11 from the free-throw line (90.9
percent).
Daily Double
Cindy Dallas posted her 17th career double double with a 13 points,
10-rebound performance vs. Wisconsin. Dallas has also moved into 10th on the
Illinois all-time rebounding list. Dallas continues as one of the top
rebounders in the Big Ten, ranking second in the conference with 9.6
rebounds per game.
Last year Dallas had 10 double doubles, including six to end the regular
season. She led the Big Ten and ranked 32nd in the nation in rebounding at
9.4 boards per game. Dallas scored in double figures in 24 of 29 games a
year ago and came close to five more double doubles with five nine-rebound
games during those double-digit scoring games. She averaged 14.1 points and
12.0 rebounds per game in the last nine games of the 2002 season.
Dallas is in her fifth season after missing all but three games of her
freshman and sophomores seasons with a pair of torn ACL injuries.
GRENTZ GANG TICKETS
Once again this year Illinois women?s basketball is offering general
admission tickets on the floor in the Grentz Gang. To reserve tickets (which
are only $2), call the Illini Box Office at 217-333-3470 and ask
specifically for general admission floor seats. Many of these spots are
members of groups. To buy group tickets for the Grentz Gang or other
sections in the Assembly Hall, contact Allison Berg at 333-8782.
PROMOTIONS COMING UP
The Illinois cheerleaders will host the Fighting Illini Cheerleading
Clinic on Jan. 26. Cost is $20 per child. The clinic runs from 10:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m. Participants will display what they learn at a halftime
routine in the Illini?s women?s basketball game vs. Minnesota.
The Illinois women?s basketball team is striving to pack the Assembly Hall
on Feb. 19 for their game against Big Ten contender Ohio State. The Illini
are calling this promotion ?Do It For the Seniors,? a tribute to the
dedication and commitment of this year?s senior class. Tip-off for the game
is 7 p.m.
The University of Illinois has designated Sunday, Feb. 9 as team at ?Team
Night? at Assembly Hall. The Illini women?s basketball team meets Iowa in a
key Big Ten game. Teams from across the state will verge on Champaign that
night. Free bus parking is available. Teams interested in reserving tickets
or who are looking for more information can contact Katie Moore at
217-333-8782.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets are now on sale for the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament.
All-session tickets are just $55. The tournament is March 6-10 at Conseco
Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. To be assured of sitting in the Illinois
section, order through the Illinois ticket office (1-866-ILLINI-1) by
January 29.
ILLINI-PURDUE ON ESPN2 Regional
The Illinois-Purdue game in West Lafayette, Ind., will be televised
regionally by ESPN2. The ESPN family of networks is broadcasting every game
of this year?s NCAA Tournament and will have several games on at the same
time during the tournament. The games on Feb. 16 give the network a run
through at the regionalization format before the actual tournament.
THERESA GRENTZ SHOW
The Theresa Grentz TV show airs on WCIA Channel 3 each Sunday The show airs
at 10 a.m. each of the subsequent Sundays until the Big Ten Tournament. The
show will be broadcast in front of an audience of kids at the Ubben
Basketball Complex each Friday.
LEONARD AT THE POINT
Brett Leonard earned the starting point guard spot and was voted one of the
tri-captains for the Illini. This despite not having played a minute of
action in and Illinois uniform.
Leonard was a part-time starter for Arizona State, starting seven games as a
freshman and appearing in all 31 games as a sophomore before deciding to
transfer to Illinois. Leonard is known for diving on the floor and taking
charge
MORE ON POINT GUARDS
Illinois has as much depth at the point guard spot as any year under Theresa
Grentz. Besides Leonard, Maggie Acuna, Janelle Hughes, and Jer? Issenmann
could all play the point, although Hughes and Issenmann will see the
majority of time at the off-guard spot.
Acuna is your prototypical point guard. She led Hinsdale Central to the
state title last winter and totaled seven assists in the state title game.
Acuna may not score that much, but she does the other things. As a senior in
high school, Acuna had 259 assists and totaled 754 assists for her high
school career, the fifth most in Illinois High School history. Former Illini
Melissa Parker is ninth on the list (690).
Issenmann played some point last year for the Illini. She made ten starts,
including the first five and final two. She had more assists (37) than
turnovers (31). Hughes did it all at Hillcrest, averaging 21 points, 5.4
steals, six rebounds and four assists per game.
CHAMPIONSHIP ILLINI
Illinois has several players from championship programs. Jessica Wright
helped Indianapolis Cathedral High School to back-to-back Indiana Class 3A
titles (2000 and 2001). Maggie Acuna was the starting point guard for
Hinsdale Central, when the Red Devils won the Illinois state title in 2002.
Jer? Issenmann was a member of the 2000 Mason team that won the Ohio state
title and ended the season ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today. Allison
Guth scored seven of her team?s nine points in overtime in leading Buffalo
Grove to the 2000 Illinois state title, defeating heavily favorite Chicago
Marshall and now teammate Angelina Williams.
HAVE A PARTY AT THE HALL
Illinois women?s basketball is offering an opportunity for kids to have a
birthday party at Assembly Hall. A child and seven friends will be invited
to sit on the floor at Assembly Hall during a game. The package includes
eight game tickets, eight hot dogs, eight small sodas, eight balloons, 8
orange and blue pom pons, a personalized birthday cake, eight game programs,
an autographed birthday card, and a commemorative photo. In addition the
boy/girl?s name will appear on the scoreboard. Cost is $75 for Fighting
Illini Kids Club Members and $100 for Non Kids Club Members. Contact Allison
Berg at 217-333-8782.
