2010-11 Women's Basketball Season Preview
November 10, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2010
2010-11 Illinois Schedule
2010-11 Illinois Women's Basketball Record Book
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by Emily Wickstrom, Sports Information Contributor
Illinois women's basketball will have a fresh start and a new look in 2010-11, as the Fighting Illini boast a strong nucleus of 10 players ready and energized to create their own legacy wearing the Orange and Blue. Fourth-year head coach Jolette Law knows replacing All-Big Ten players Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson is no easy task, but believes there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about her team's future.
"I know some people are looking at this season in terms of what we lost in Jenna Smith, Lacey Simpson and Whitney Toone," Law said. "But I am looking at it in terms of what we've gained. We've gained a whole new team with a whole different mentality, and that is exciting."
Although many spots in the rotation are up for grabs, one certainty is a strengthened team chemistry. The Illini played their best ball at the end of last season, resulting in a run to the WNIT quarterfinals and leaving the returning players hungry for more.
"I saw the team really come together this summer," Law said. "They started bonding off the court. Honestly, the team chemistry is probably the best we've had since I've been here. They are really starting to buy into each other, buy into this program and buy into wearing Illinois on their chest with pride. The energy in the gym is at an all-time high right now. It is starting to feel like a championship gym."
That mentality starts with the team's eight returning players. Illinois is one of just a handful of teams throughout the country without seniors on its roster. But that doesn't mean the Orange and Blue are short on experience, with three regular starters and six players who recorded at least one start last season returning.
Junior point guard Lydia McCully has averaged 31.5 minutes per game in her first two seasons, and will look to take on even more of a leadership role in her junior campaign. The Orange and Blue also return sophomore forwards Karisma Penn and Kersten Magrum, both of whom will play an integral part in the team's offense after breakout freshmen seasons.
In addition to the three returning starters, juniors Macie Blinn, Eboni Mitchell and Lana Rukavina are also back after logging significant reserve minutes in their first two years. Now veterans, all three will be asked to play a bigger role this year and help lead the Illini on and off the court.
Sophomore Adrienne GodBold was Law's sparkplug off the bench as a freshman, and will likely take on the team's defensive stopper role that was vacated by Simpson. Rounding out the returnees is redshirt freshman Amber Moore, who is finally healthy after tearing her left ACL in last year's season opener.
"Collectively, all eight returning players have really stepped up and been positive role models for the two freshmen," Law said. "They want to raise the bar and get better, which is very encouraging."
Making their Illini debuts this year will be freshmen Alexis Burke and Centrese McGee. Burke is a small forward who is expected to make an immediate impact, while McGee gives Illinois much-needed depth in the backcourt.
"I'm pushing both freshmen to have the mindset that they're going to start," Law said. "I am pleased to see that neither are practicing like typical freshmen. They definitely aren't sitting back and being hesitant and are going to be an important part of the team's success."
Also new to the Illini are two assistant coaches in Michael Peck and Usha Gilmore. Peck boasts a wealth of experience, having coached in the WNBA as well as at Florida and Penn State. Gilmore played under Law at Rutgers from 1996-2000, helping lead the Scarlet Knights to a Final Four run in her senior year. The new additions join top assistant Lisa Cermignano to round out Law's staff. "I feel very fortunate to have a complete staff where everyone has championship experience," Law said. "They all know what it takes to motivate college athletes and get them to the next level."
The many personnel changes will reflect in Illinois' style of play on the court. While past teams have focused on getting Smith the ball in the post, Law expects the Orange and Blue to be more guard oriented this year.
"We are definitely more athletic than we have been in the past," she said. "We are quicker and should be able to press and take on a whole different defensive scheme. Although we don't have the inside height anymore, we have stronger guards and are a well-balanced team."
The Illini will get a chance to debut their new look against some of the nation's best, with an especially tough non-conference schedule as well as the grueling Big Ten slate. The Orange and Blue will play at least 18 games against teams that participated in the postseason last year and face squads from each of the six power conferences.
After opening up the year against in-state rival Illinois State, the Illini hit the road with games at South Carolina and Bradley. Later, Illinois makes a Thanksgiving trip to Hawaii where they could potentially face powerhouses North Carolina and Ole Miss, before facing N.C. State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and Colorado in the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge. Other non-conference highlights include a road game at Marquette and a home game against California, the reigning WNIT champions.
"We have a very tough schedule," Law said. "I want the kids to be tested. Last year, our schedule was not as tough as I would have liked and I am glad that has changed. We will be challenged earlier to prepare for the Big Ten. It is important for us to get off to a good start and defend our home court."
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For the third straight season, McCully (Bedford Heights, Ohio) will lead the way in the Illini backcourt. The junior point guard has already logged over 2,000 minutes in her career, giving her by far the most experience of any Illini. McCully has played her best when her team needed it the most, averaging 9.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament and WNIT en route to being named the team's Most Improved Player. Law has seen even more growth from McCully this offseason.
"Last year we saw Lydia take control and embrace running the show," Law said. "This summer, she was leading and pushing everyone in the gym and right now she is setting the tone for the team."
GodBold (Chicago, Ill.) will compete for a starting spot after being Illinois' go-to player off the bench as a freshman. Probably the most athletic Illini, the sophomore has equal ability on both ends of the court and is an exciting player to watch.
"She is such a team player," Law said of GodBold. "We are going to continue challenging her. She can knock down the `3', slash to the basket and be that defensive stopper we need."
Blinn (Greenville, Ohio) and Moore (Detroit, Mich.) will help open up the court at the shooting guard position as the team's designated outside threats. Blinn has made 23 career starts and has shown the ability connect from beyond the arc in her first two seasons.
"Macie Blinn has the potential to be great," Law said. "I want her to have the mindset that not only is she a great shooter, but she is a great defender and a great player.
Moore will be playing her first full season while returning from an ACL injury. She was primed for a big freshman season last year, scoring eight points in her Illini debut at Temple before the injury occurred, knocking her out for the season.
"Although Amber didn't play last year, she gained a lot of experience by watching and listening. She is mentally prepared, and I expect her to play like a seasoned freshman."
Also in the mix at both guard positions are Mitchell (Decatur, Ga.) and McGee (Calumet City, Ill.). Mitchell worked hard in the offseason to get in the best shape of her life, while McGee is expected to jump right into the rotation after a stellar high school career at Thornton Fractional North.
"Centrese brings hustle, work ethic, and incredible athletic ability to our team," Law said. "Eboni has put in the work, is leading and her confidence is at another level. I think that the time is now for her. She waited for two years and now is the time to be a significant contributor."
Forwards
Penn (Shaker Heights, Ohio) is the most likely candidate to take over the role of go-to player with the graduation of Smith. She showed flashes of greatness throughout her freshman campaign, highlighted by scoring the game-winning basket against Wisconsin and scoring 21 points at No. 5 Ohio State. Penn averaged 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, but Law feels she has a long way to go before reaching her potential.
"I think KP can be an All-American if she continues to work the way she's working," Law said. "She has all the potential to be great. I think she's ready for the burden of being the go-to player, and I'm going to continue to push her. The sky is the limit with Karisma."
Magrum (Mokena, Ill.) came on strong at the end of last season, starting the last 15 games. As a starter, the small forward averaged 6.9 points and 21.5 minutes while shooting 46 percent from the field and showing steady improvement each and every game. Along with McCully, Magrum has embraced the role of team leader and will be a major contributor from behind the arc as well as inside the paint.
"Kesten was the glue for us in the last few games of last season," Law said. "She really worked her way into the starting lineup. This year, I want to see her raise the bar even more. I'm fortunate to have her, because her basketball IQ is remarkable and she works extremely hard. The confidence she showed at the end of last season I'm seeing now every day."
Also looking to make an impact is Rukavina (Wheeling, Ill.), who played behind Smith for two seasons and gives the Illini some much-needed height.
"She's going to have a bigger role," Law said. "The opportunity is there after waiting her turn for two years. I'm seeing another player in her and feel that she is ready to play some key minutes.'
Rounding out the forward position is Burke (Bainbridge, Ga.), who joins the Illini after a highly-touted career at Bainbridge High School where she was named the Georgia Class AAAA Player of the Year.
"Alexis has been getting better and better every day," Law said. "She is one of our most versatile players with the ability to post up and shoot from the outside. She is a great fit for the up-tempo, defensive-driven style we will play."
