THE BASICS

The Coaches

Illinois:    Matt Bollant  //  50-55 at Illinois (4th year)  //  332-110 overall (14th year)

Maryland:    Brenda Frese //  351-105 at UMD (14th year) // 408-135-34 overall (17th year)

SERIES NOTES vs. MARYLAND

Series Record:    Maryland leads, 4-0

Last Meeting:    Maryland 74, Illinois 54 // Jan. 18, 2015 // College Park, Md.

Series Streak:    Lost 4

Series in Champaign:    0-0

Series at Maryland:    0-2

Bollant vs. Maryland:    0-1

Illinois is...

...7-2 at home this season

...opening the Big Ten season on Thursday

...the only B1G school to make 8 or more threes in seven games

...ranked No. 21 in the country for its 8.3 3FGs per game

...playing a top-25 team for the first time this season

...looking for its 10th top-10 win in program history

Quick Hits

• THURSDAY'S Game: Illinois opens conference play on Thursday, hosting No. 6 Maryland at 2 p.m. The Orange and Blue will give away free New Year's hats to fans at the door, and fans can watch the game on BTN2Go. 

• LAST TIME OUT:  Despite battling to the finish, Fighting Illini Women's Basketball dropped its third consecutive game on Monday afternoon, falling 70-57 to George Washington University in a hard-fought contest. Three Illini scored in double-digits and the Illini forced 25 Colonial turnovers, George Washington's second-highest total of the season. Freshmen Alex Wittinger and Jaelyne Kirkpatrick earned their first-career starts of the season in the game, and Wittinger recorded a career-high four steals to go along with it. Sophomore Chatrice White also earned her fifth-consecutive double-double on Monday, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

• SCOUTING MARYLAND: Ranked among the top-10 teams in the country, Maryland comes to Illinois after a loss at Connecticut. The Terrapins were previously undefeated, starting the season off with an 11-0 record. A 2015 NCAA Final Four team, Maryland returns two starters and nine letterwinners from last season. The Terps are led by Shatori Walker-Kimbrough who averages more than 18 points per game. Brionna Jones contributes almost 15 points per game while leading the team with 8.2 boards a game. The Terrapins are currently outscoring opponents by 37 points this season and holding opponents to just 31-percent shooting. 

• COMING UP: The Illini head out on the road to face Purdue on Jan. 3. The game will tipoff at 1 p.m. CT and can be watched on BTN2Go. 

ILLINOIS VS. THE POLLS

The Orange and Blue racked up the upsets last season, earning two wins over ranked opponents during the 2014-15 campaign. The Illini started out with a win over No. 9 Kentucky and followed that up with a victory over 17th-ranked Iowa in January. The Illini are 45-183 overall against ranked opponents and 31-73 against ranked teams on their home court. The Illini have earned nine wins over top-10 teams in program history, including two in the last three years. 

GO THE DISTANCE

The Illini have found success from beyond the arc to start the season, as they currently rank 21st in the country and second in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (8.3). Illinois has netted at least eight triples in seven games this season, and is the only Big Ten team to do so. Illinois has knocked down 10 triples in five games this season, the only school in the league to do so. 

Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons certainly leads the charge from distance this season as she has knocked down four or more treys in four games this season. She has made at least one trey in 10 games this year. SImmons leads the Big Ten, shooting 45.3-percent from beyond the arc, and is ranked 18th in the country for her 3.09 threes per game. 

A CHANGE OF PACE

After starting the same five players for the first 10 games of the season, head coach Matt Bollant switched things up against George Washington. Both Jaelyne Kirkpatrick and Alex Wittinger earned the start for the first time in their careers. 

NON-CONFERENCE NUMBERS

The Orange and Blue finished the non-conference slate with a 7-4 record, starting the season with five consecutive wins. The Illini averaged almost 75 points per game, and limited opponents to just 30-percent shooting from beyond the arc. Illinois forced more than 18 turnovers per game from its opponents and aslo assisted on more than 53-percent of shots during non-conference play.

BLOCK PARTY

As a team, the Illini have tallied 50 rejections on the season, averaging almost five per game. Illinois averaged almost four blocks a game last season, led by Chatrice White's freshman record 60 blocks. White is once again leading the charge as she is almost halfway to last year's tally with 28 blocks through 11 games. If she keeps up this pace, White could place herself atop the Illinois Season Blocks list currently led by Karisma Penn who rejected 78 shots in the 2010-11 season. White's 60 blocks last season ranks sixth all-time at Illinois. She is certainly holding up her end of the bargain as she swiped seven blocks against South Dakota, matching her career-best and the State Farm Center record set by Karisma Penn. 

White has some help this season as freshman Alex Wittinger is also racking up the rejections. Wittinger has 17 total so far this season, including a season-best, six, against Lehigh. 

TURNOVER TIME 

Averaging almost 15 turnovers a game, the Illini have been able to force almost 19 turnovers from their opponents each game. Illinois has forced 20 or more turnovers in four games this season, and Illini opponents have committed 17 or more in seven games. Illinois has only led in the turnover category in four games this year. The Orange and Blue have also been taking advantage of those turnovers, averaging  more than 20 points off turnovers each game. Illinois has recorded more points off turnovers than their opponents in five of the last six games.

WHITE'S WAYS

Sophomore Chatrice White has been making waves this season, starting the year off with back-to-back double-doubles. She didn't stop there, however, as she has put up 20 or more points in five games so far this season. White currently has 10 career 20+ point games and 13 career double-doubles, including one in each of the last five games. 

    • She has recorded a double-double in her last five games, which has not been done since Karisma Penn         earned six-straight double-doubles in the 2010-11 season. 

    • The last Illini to start the season with consecutive double-doubles was Karisma Penn in the 2012-13 season         (11 pts., 12 rbs. vs. Evansville; 29 pts., 16 rbs. vs. Bradley). Penn also recorded a double-double in three of the         first four games of the year. 

    • Prior to Penn, Jenna Smith started the 2009-10 season out with four-straight double-doubles, and continued on to         record a double-double in six of the first seven games. 

    • White currently ranks 1st in the Big Ten and 6th in the nation for her seven double-doubles this season. Oregon's Jillian  Alleyne leads the country with 11. She's No. 29 in the country for her seven defensive rebounds per game as well. 

TOP OF THE LINE

Illinois' hot start has paid off as the Illini are ranked among the nation's best in several categories this season. 

Category    National Rank    B1G rank

    3FG Made per game - 8.3    21st    2nd

    3FG Made - 91    28th    2nd 

    3FG Made - Kyley Simmons - 34    17th    2nd

    3FG Per Game - Kyley Simmons - 3.09    18th    2nd

    3FG Percentage - Kyley Simmons - 45.3    27th    1st

    Rebounds per game - C. White - 9.9    35th    2nd

    Double Doubles - Chatrice White - 7    6th    1st

    Blocked Shots - Chatrice White - 28    25th    2nd

    Blocks per game - C. White - 2.55    26th    2nd

    Defensive Rebs. per game - C. White- 7    29th    2nd

FIGHTING FRESHMEN

The Illini freshman class is proving to be a major tool this season, as the three newcomers combine to average more than 25 points per game, just about a third of UI's total scoring (33.5%). Cierra Rice leads all freshmen averaging more than 13 points per game, while Alex Wittinger is crucial on the boards for the Illini, grabbing 5.7 per game. Illinois is one of just four Big Ten schools to see that type of production out of its incoming class. Only Nebraska and Michigan see more scoring from their freshmen (42% and 39%, respectively), while Penn State's freshman class contributes 30-percent of its scoring numbers. 

TOP 10 WINNINGEST

Now in his 14th season of head coaching, Matt Bollant came into the year with a .754 winning percentage. That number puts him 10th among all active head coaches in the country. Not only that, but Bollant has a 100-percent graduation rate during his 19 years of head coaching. 

RECORDS FALL

Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons knocked down seven three-pointers, helping to lead Illinois over Lehigh on Dec. 6. She shot 70-percent from distance in the game, and her seven treys matched the State Farm Center single-game record set by Amber Moore in 2011. Simmons is currently shooting 48.5-percent from distance, good for first in the Big Ten and 15th in the nation. 

DEFENSE IS KEY

Illinois' defense has largely contributed to its hot start to the year. UI has held three opponents to less than 32-percent shooting from the field, including holding Tennessee State to just 21.7-percent. Four Illini opponents have shot 25-percent or worse from distance as well this season. Illinois has also kept opponents away from the free-throw line as their 162 total fouls ranks 50th in the nation and fifth-best in conference.    

DOUBLING UP

Six Illini reached double-figure scoring numbers in two games this season. The Illini first spread the production out against Tennessee State, seeing career-bests from Kennedy Cattenhead and Brooke Kissinger as well. The Illini again spread out the scoring against SIU on Dec. 8, seeing six players hit double-digits once again. Prior to Tennessee State, Illinois last saw six or more players reach double-figure scoring numbers was on Nov. 17, 2013 against Alcorn State. Seven players put up double-digits in that 112-28 victory.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK TIMES THREE

Cierra Rice has earned Big Ten weekly honors twice this season, the most for an Illini freshman since Karisma Penn received the honor four times in the 2009-10 season. She first garnered the award on Monday, Nov. 23, coming off of a 20-point performance against UT Martin and helping the Illini to a 94-74 win. Rice went 6-for-6 from the field against UT Martin, banking three triples on the day. She had a 6-for-7 performance from the charity stripe as well. The Grosse Pointe, Mich., native scored 21 points, dished five assists and grabbed five rebounds in the game, only tallying one turnover. She then earned her second nod on Dec. 7, after putting up 22 points against Miami and following up with a 12-point performance in Illinois' win over Lehigh. 

Alex Wittinger joins Rice in earing the weekly honor as she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Dec. 13 after bacl-to-back double-digit scoring games against SIU and Central Michigan and her second-career double-double against CMU. 

It is the first time since the award was developed in 2009-10 that Illinois has had two players receive Freshman of the Week honors.

THE ROARING TWENTIES

Illinois saw three players score at least 20 points against UT Martin as freshmen Cierra Rice and Alex Wittinger each put up double-figure scoring numbers for the first time in their careers. Wittinger (20), Rice (21) and Chatrice White (26) combined for 67 of Illinois' 94 points in the game. The last time three Illini scored 20 or more points was UI's 95-69 win over Minnesota on Feb. 5, 2015. Wittinger also grabbed 11 rebounds in the contest, marking her first-ever double-double.

Cierra Rice continued to rack up the points, dropping 22 at Miami on Dec. 2. Rice is one of just three freshmen in Illinois history, dating back to 1980, to put up 20 or more points twice within the first five games of her career. Also on that list is sophomore Chatrice White, who scored 20 or more points in six games last season. Krista Reinking (1994-95) rounds out the total list. Reinking has four 20+ points games in her freshman season. 

With two 20+ point games under her belt already, Rice is averaging almost 14 points per game. If she keeps up this type of production, Rice will etch her name among the all-time freshman records at Illinois. 

20+ point games    Name            Freshman season

9    Mandy Cunningham        1990-91

8    Allison Curtin         1998-99

6    Chatrice White         2014-15 

4    Jacqui Grant             2013-14 

4    Lori Bjork             2005-06

4    Iveta Marcauskaite         2000-01

4    Krista Reinking         1994-95

4    Lisa Bradley             1984-85

3    Tauja Catchings         1996-97

3    Robbyn Preacely         1992-93

2    Cierra Rice             2015-16

2    Karisma Penn         2009-10

2    Katie Coleman         1996-97

2    Ashley Berggren         1994-95

2    Kris Dupps             1991-92

2    Janelle Polk             1983-84

BOLLANT'S 50TH

Head coach Matt Bollant earned his 50th victory at Illinois in a 74-69 defeat of Central Michigan. Bollant is currently 332-107 in his career. He has taken his teams to 12 postseason appearances in his head coaching career, including four NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2011. The Illini earned a 7-1 start to the season, the best during Bollant's tenure at the helm of Illinois Women's Basketball. 

The fountain of youth

With only two starters returning this season, the Illini have a few new faces in the starting lineup. Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons and sophomore Chatrice White are returning for a second year, but they are joined by first-time starters Sarah Hartwell, Kennedy Cattenhead and Cierra Rice. Three of the five starting Illini are underclassmen, while three of the five are also first-time starters. 

A PROMISING FUTURE

The Illini are headed into the 2015-16 season with a positive outlook on things to come. The team returns starters Chatrice White and Kyley Simmons, and also brings back experienced returners in Kennedy Cattenhead, Sarah Hartwell, Brooke Kissinger and Ashley McConnell. Several Illini newcomers bring major promise, as Simone Law and Eriel Davis each have Division I playing experience under their belts. Illini freshmen Cierra Rice, Jaelyne Kirkpatrick and Alex Wittinger are a decorated incoming class as they are each ranked among the top-5 recruits in their home state. 

ILLINI CRUISE PAST GREYHOUNDS IN EXHIBITION

Fighting Illini Women's Basketball started its season on a high note Saturday afternoon, tallying a 95-36 exhibition win over the University of Indianapolis at Parkland College. The Orange and Blue saw all nine players on the floor put up at least three points in the game, and the Illini assisted on 20 of 35 field goals in the contest. Illinois out rebounded the Greyhounds 38-26 and held UIndy to just under 23-percent shooting in the game. The Illini dropped 13 three-pointers in the contest, while shooting over 54-percent from the floor. 

WHITE RETURNS FOR SUPER SOPHOMORE SEASON

Returning for her sophomore season, Chatrice White, expects no sophomore slump. She closed out the 2014-15 season averaging 14.5 points per game and a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per contest.  She owns the Illinois freshman records for scoring and blocked shots as she led the team with 60 rejections. 

ILLINI LOOKING FOR NEW CONTRIBUTORS

The Illini will have a few holes to fill in the absence of recent graduates Ivory Crawford and Brittany Carter. The two combined for an average of 23.6 points per game, and Carter led the team in steals, closing the season with 80. Crawford grabbed 64 steals herself last season, helping the Illini to a league-leading 11.2 steals per game. 

NEWCOMERS 

The Illini welcome a decorated class of freshman this year, including Parade All-American Cierra Rice, who was ranked as the No. 1 player out of Michigan. Ranked at No. 5 in the state of Minnesota, Alex Wittinger also joins the Illini this year. She grabbed 21 rebounds in her first outing with the Illini, an exhibition matchup against the AMW All Stars in Paris, France. Coming off of a stint with the Canadian National team, Jaelyne Kirkpatrick joins the Illini this season. She was ranked as the No. 1 guard in Canada. 

The Illini also welcome some experience to the program this year in seniors Eriel Davis and Simone Law. Law comes to Illinois from Loyola-Chicago, where she earned First Team All-Horizon League honors and was twice named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team. Davis, a native of Danville, returns to the Illini squad after two seasons. She was a member of the 2012-13 squad and assisted the team as a practice player prior to that. 

ILLINI WELCOME JODY MARTINEZ

Head coach Matt Bollant announced the addition of Jody Martinez to the Illini staff over the summer. Martinez brings 17 years of head coaching experience with him, and he has led his teams to more than 400 wins in his head-coaching career. Martinez comes to Illinois from Southeastern University, where he led the Fire to a 25-7 record in the 2014-15 season and guided the program to its first-ever NAIA Division II Women's Basketball NIT. Prior to his stint at Southeastern, Martinez served as the head coach for the Bethel Pilots, where he led the Lady Pilots to 20 or more wins in 15 of his 16 seasons at the helm of the program, and prior to his arrival in 1998, the program had never seen a winning season. Martinez guided the Lady Pilots to six NCCAA National Championship titles and made seven trips to the NAIA National Tournament including five elite eight appearances. His teams won three MCC regular season titles and an MCC tournament championship as well.

ILLINI MAKE WAVES ON A NATIONAL STAGE

Illini sophomore Chatrice White and freshman Jaelyne Kirkpatrick were busy over the summer, competing at the FIBA U19 World Championships. Kirkpatrick competed for Canada, while White helped to bring home the gold on team USA. White averaged five points per game while in Russia, playing in seven games throughout the tournament. 

TOUR DE FRANCE

The Illini packed in some extra practice over the summer, heading overseas to play a few games in France. The Illini faced off against Paris' professional team, the AMW All Stars, and also played two games against Bretigny Select. Freshmen Alex Wittinger, Jaelyne Kirkpatrick and Cierra Rice got a taste of competition, as they competed with their new teammates for the first time. 

While across the pond, the Illini got to take some time to see the sights. Tour stops included the Eiffel Tower, Monaco, Lyon, and Nice. 

A NEW HOME

After the 2013-14 season, the Fighting Illini had to vacate their home arena, State Farm Center, as the three-year, $169.5 million Illinois Renaissance renovation project began. The renovation includes the installation of premium seating, upgrades to team locker rooms, all concourses, concession and restroom facilities, and wider aisles and increased access for patrons with disabilities. In addition, air conditioning will be installed and grand entrances will be constructed on the arena's east and west sides. While most of the first year of construction's work was mechanical and infrastructure-related, fans will notice new, blue seats in the 200 level, which was formerly known as "C" section.

ILLINI INK FOUR FOR 2016

The Fighting Illini Women's Basketball program and head coach Matt Bollant announce the signing of four standout players to national letters of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Ali Andrews (Lake in the Hills, Ill.), Brandi Beasley (Memphis, Tenn.), Courtney Joens (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Sarah Overcash (Chevy Chase, Md.) will join the Illini for the 2016-17 season. 

Ali Andrews // 6-2 // F // Lake in the Hills, Ill. // Huntley  HS 

Ranked the No. 14 forward in the country and No. 1 in Illinois by ESPN HoopGurlz…Ranked as the No. 79 recruit in the nation…Class 4A All-State Team…Helped Huntley to two-straight Fox Valley Conference Valley Division titles…Has scored more than 1,800 points in her high school career so far…Daily Herald Fox Valley All-Area Team Co-Captain…Associated Press First Team All-State selection…Has earned Huntley three consecutive regional titles and two straight sectional titles.

Brandi Beasley // 5-6 // G // Memphis, Tenn. // Ridgeway HS

Stands as the No. 2-ranked recruit from the state of Tennessee and the No. 27-ranked point guard in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz…AAA Miss Basketball Finalist…Chose Illinois over Florida, MTSU, UT Martin, Vanderbilt and Memphis…Plans to study engineering at Illinois.

Courtney Joens // 5-10 // G // Iowa City, Iowa // City High 

Achievements: Ranked the No. 27 point guard in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz, and the top out of the state of Iowa…Ranked among the top-5 guards in Iowa by IowaPreps.com…Holds City High's single-game records for points (42) and three-pointers (8)…Chose Illinois over Creighton, Drake, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and DePaul…Made 41 three-pointers in her sophomore season while averaging 14.6 points per game…Took City High to the 2013 state semifinals…Volunteers at her local elementary school and at her church…Consistently appears on the Iowa City High School Honor Roll.

Sarah Overcash // 6-1 // F // Chevy Chase, Md. // St. John's College 

The top-ranked recruit out of the District of Columbia…Named DCSAA First Team All-State in 2015…Played with Penn State's Amari Carter and Michigan signee Kayla Robbins...Chose Illinois over Penn and Princeton…First-Team All-WCAC selection.