THE BASICS
The Coaches
Illinois: Matt Bollant // 52-71 at Illinois (4th year) // 334-125 overall (14th year)
Penn State: Conquese Washington // 159-123 at PSU (9th year) // 159-123 overall (9th year)
SERIES NOTES vs. PENN STATE
Series Record: Penn State leads, 31-15
Last Meeting: Penn State 65, Illinois 56
Series Streak: Lost 1
Series in Champaign: Penn State leads, 11-10
Series at Penn State: Penn State leads, 16-3
Bollant vs. Iowa: 2-3
Illinois is...
...the No. 14 seed at the 2016 Big Ten Tournament
...17-21 all-time at the Big Ten Tournament
...averaging 15 points off opponent turnovers this season
...ranked 3rd in the Big Ten for its 7.5 treys per game
...seeing three starters average double-digit scoring in B1G play
...seeing White and Wittinger among league leaders for blocked shots
...averaging 7.1 steals per game
...ranked among the top teams in the country for its 3FG made
...watching for Chatrice White's 1,000th career point
Quick Hits
• WEDNESDAY'S Game: Illinois will face the No. 11 seed Penn State at approximately 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 2. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network, and fans can listen on WDWS AM-1400. Illinois is 17-21 all-time at the Big Ten Tournament, and entering this year's tournament as the No. 14 seed.
• LAST TIME OUT: Fighting Illini women's basketball held the Iowa Hawkeyes to just six fourth-quarter points and saw a 29-point effort from Sophomore Chatrice White, but it was not enough to hold off the Hawkeyes on Saturday evening. Illinois fell to Iowa in its regular season finale, 61-56. White scored 11 of Illinois' third-quarter points, helping UI pull within one possession of the Hawkeyes, and followed up with another 11 points in the fourth quarter to bring Illinois within one point. she finished with a team-leading 29 points and 11 rebounds for her 18th double-double of the year. The Illini fall to 9-20 on the season and 2-16 in Big Ten play.
• SCOUTING PENN STATE: Illinois will see the No. 11 seed Penn State on Wednesday as the Lady Lions are coming off of a loss at Indiana to close the regular season. With an 11-18 record on the year, Penn State finished 6-12 in league play, including a victory over Illinois at the annual Pack the House game. Three Lady Lions are scoring in double-digits this year, including Teniya Page (15.1 ppg), Brianna Banks (13.7 ppg) and Lindsey Spann (13.1 ppg).
NOW TRENDING: #ILLINI
CHATRICE WHITE - @ThatWHITEgirl32
White is leading the Big Ten with 18 double-doubles on the year, also fifth on Illinois' all-time single season list. She's also 16 points away from reaching 1,000 career points, and if she does so in the next two games she will be the second-fastest Illini to reach the millenium mark.
ALEX WITTINGER
Wittinger has put up double-figure scoring numbers in eight #B1G games this season including five consecutive games. That stretch also includes a career-best 27 points in her home state of Minnesota on Jan. 26 and back-to-back double-doubles.
ALEXIS VILIUNAS- @Lex_Viliunas
Four-year letterwinner with the #Illini volleyball program who joined @IlliniWBB prior to the Penn State game on Jan. 23. Saw her first action vs. Northwestern, playing for the final minute of the game.
KYLEY SIMMONS- @Kyley Simmons
Simmons has dished 23 assists in the last five #B1G games after recording just five in the first five league games. She's averaging 12.2 ppg over the last five games.
CIERRA RICE- @cecebigballer
Earned #B1G Freshman of the Week honors twice to start off the season before suffering a knee injury against South Dakota on Dec. 22.
ASHLEY MCCONNELL- @ashmccons
Recorded her best performance of the season against UT Martin, grabbing three rebounds and putting up six points. Played a season-high 26 minutes at Michigan.
SIMONE LAW- @SimoneLaw4
Transferred from Loyola but will not see action for the #Illini due to injury. Brother, Victor Law, plays for Northwestern.
BROOKE KISSINGER- @bkiss_hoops22
Kissinger is leading the Illini shooting 42-percent from three and has made at least one 3FG in 12 of the last 13 games, her best stretch of the season. Her five treys vs. #7 Ohio State mark a career-best. She's made multiple treys in 15 games this year.
JAELYNE KIRKATRICK- @Jaelynee
The Illini freshman played for team Canada in the FIBA U-19 World games this summer. For the Illini she saw a rise in playing time come conference season, averaging more than 17 minutes per game and earning the start against Maryland.
SARAH HARTWELL- @Hearty_6
Is second on the team with 45 assists in #B1G play and also hands out assists off the court as she stays active in the community through service events.
ERIEL DAVIS- @ErielDavis13
Started her career with the #Illini as a scout team player before earning a spot in the team in her sophomore year. Earned her first appearance this season vs. Maryland and got the start on senior night.
KENNEDY CATTENHEAD
Her 131 points in #B1G play is greatly improved from her total in 22 total games last season (24 pts) and rank fourth on the team. She's scored in double-figures in six league games compared to just twice in non-conference play.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
Chatrice White grabbed a career-best 18 rebounds at the annual Pack the House game, helping the Illini to a 41-36 advantage on the boards, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Penn State Lady Lions. Illinois fell, 65-56, to Penn State on Jan. 23, dropping to 8-11 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten Play. Penn State improves to 3-5 in league play. The Illini again shared the scoring efforts, seeing seven players put up at least two points on the day, led by freshman Alex Wittinger who finished with 14 points overall.
#ILLINI ON THE RUN
The Orange and Blue have seen several different trends pop up over the last few games.
• Senior Kyley Simmons has tallied 105 assists on the season. With just 23 more she will break into the top-15 all time for her single-season assists number.
• Sophomore Brooke Kissinger has knocked down at least one three-pointer in 13 of the last 14 games, her best stretch of the season. Prior to this stretch, she had seen success from distance in just three consecutive games.
• Sophomore Chatrice White has tallied two or more blocks and two or more steals in four of the last six games. She's recorded multiple blocks and steals in eight games this year.
• Both Chatrice White and Alex Wittinger combined for nine blocks against Michigan State, the two have each registered multiple blocks in seven of the same games this season.
• White is also just 16 points away from the millenium mark.
• Chatrice White and Kyley Simmons combined for almost 70-percent of Illinois' points against Michigan State and 71-percent of Illinois scoring at Iowa. The two have combined for more than 60-percent of Illinois' total scoring in three games this year and more than 50-percent in 10 games.
• As a team the Illini have swiped 20 steals in the last two games, the highest total in consecutive games in league play this season. Sophomore Chatrice White contributed five of those steals.
• Illinois has done a better job of taking advantage of opportunities at the free throw line over the last four games. The Illini are shooting 80-percent from the charity stripe over the last four contests compared to their season average of 70-percent.
ALL-BIG TEN HONORS
Sophomore Chatrice White was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team on Monday, Feb. 29, earning the third All-Big Ten recognition of her career. She was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team last season, also earning All-Big Ten Honorable mention honors. White leads the Illini averaging 18.5 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game this season. She leads the Big Ten with 18 double-doubles, a number that also ranks sixth in the nation.
Freshman Alex Wittinger was also honored as she was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Wittinger has twice been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week this season, and boasts four double-doubles on the year. She's among league leaders for her offensive rebounding and blocked shots this season.
BALANCE IS BEST
Sharing is caring, as the Illini have noticed this season. The Orange and Blue have seen at least three players put up eight or more points in all but three games this season. Multiple players have reached double-figure scoring numbers in all but one game this year as well. The Illini are 4-5 when four or more players score in double-figures.
Not only do they take turns with the scoring, but the Illini are assisting on more than 51-percent of field goals this season. Illinois has recorded 386 assists on 744 field goals with Kyley Simmons leading the way (105). Seven Illini have dished more than 24 dimes this year.
REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
After setting the Illinois Freshman Record with 60 blocked shots last season, sophomore Chatrice White continues to move up in the record books. She's racked up 122 rejections so far in her career, becoming one of just seven Illini to reach 100 blocks in school history. Currently, her 122 blocked shots ranks sixth overall in program history. The record is currently set at 271 sixth blocks by Karisma Penn, who played for the Illini from 2009-2013.
White has also racked up 984 career points in just 60 games played in her career so far. White needs just 16 more points to join the 1,000 point club. Only 27 Illini have reached 1,000 career-points in Illinois history. Should White reach the milestone in 61 career games, she will tie Lisa Robinson as the second-fastest Illini to hit the millenium mark.
Fastest Illini to Reach 1,000 Points
Ashley Berggren (1994-98) - 56 games
Lisa Robinson (1978-92) - 61 games
Susan Blauser (1998-00) - 64 games
Kendra Gantt (1981-85) - 65 games
Jenna Smith (2006-10) - 66 games
Allison Curtin (1998-01) - 66 games
Jonelle Polk (1983-87) - 70 games
KISSINGER COMING UP
Sophomore Brooke Kissinger has been coming through in the clutch for the Illini in the past few games. She is averaging 6.9 points per game this season, but has put up an average of 7.7points in league play. She has made at least one three-pointer in 12 of the last 13 games, including two 3-for-3 performances from distance, after making just three in the first five league games of the season. Kissinger drained 31 treys in league play, compared to just 16 in the non-conference slate.
A BANG IN THE BIG TEN
Not only does Kyley Simmons rank among the top of the nation for her three-point shooting, rank among the top of the nation for her three-point shooting, but she's at the top of the Big Ten. Simmons is sixth in the Big Ten with her three-point field goals per game (2.5), sixth for her three-pointers made (72) and her three-point field goal percentage (37.9) ranks 13th. Her 36.6 minutes played per game ranks fifth in the league. Brooke Kissinger joins Simmons on the three-point charge, ranking fourth for her 42-percent shooting from three-point range.
Chatrice White is among the top in the Big Ten in several categories as well. She ranks third in the league for her 7.0 defensive rebounds per game this season and 11th for her 2.5 offensive rebounds per game. Her 2.1 rejections per game ranks third while her 9.4 rebounds per game sit third.
Alex Wittinger sits second in the Big Ten for her 3.3 offensive rebounds per game, and her 1.7 blocks per game sits fifth. Her 6.9 rebounds ranks 12th.
As a team, Illinois is among the top of the league in several categories. The Illini rank seventh in the conference for their 4.2 blocked shots per game and third for their 7.4 treys per game. Illinois' +2.3 turnover margin ranks fourth and 7.1 steals per game are eighth.
GO THE DISTANCE
The Illini have found success from beyond the arc to start the season, as they currently rank 34th in the country and third in the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (7.4). Illinois has netted at least eight triples in 15 games this season, including 10 or more triples in seven games this season. The Illini have knocked down 216 threes this season, the third-most in the Big Ten and 23rd in the nation.
Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons certainly leads the charge from distance this season as she has knocked down four or more treys in nine games this year. She has made at least one trey in 25 games, and her 72 treys ranks 42nd in the country.
Brooke Kissinger has made major contributions in the three-point department for the Illini as well. She has knocked down 47 threes this season, shooting 42-percent from distance. Sophomore Chatrice White (30) and senior Sarah Hartwell (19) have contributed in the three-point department as well.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE
Sophomore Chatrice White has racked up 18 double-doubles so far this year, which means she has cracked the top-10 on Illinos' single season double-doubles list. She holds the fifth place position on the list, and the record is set at 21 in a year by Jenna Smith (2009-10). White has 24 double-doubles so far in her career, which puts her just inside the top-10 all-time career double-doubles list as well, she's currently in 7th. The record is also held by Jenna Smith, who finished her career with 53 total double-doubles. White's 18 double-doubles lead the Big Ten and rank 6th in the nation.
BLOCK PARTY
As a team, the Illini have tallied 123 rejections on the season, averaging 4.2 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 has surpassed that number with 62 blocks through 29 games. She continues to move up the Illinois Season Blocks list currently led by Karisma Penn who rejected 78 shots in the 2010-11 season. White's 60 single-season blocks last year ranks sixth all-time at Illinois, and she is currently in sixth overall with 122 career blocks. Her 62 blocks this season rank 10th overall. 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's 2.2 blocks per game this season rank third in the Big Ten.
White has some help this season as freshman Alex Wittinger is also racking up the rejections. Wittinger has 47 total so far this season, including a season-best, six, against Lehigh. Wittinger's 1.6 blocks per game rank fifth in the Big Ten.
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 11 games so far this season. White currently has 16 career 20+ point games and 24 career double-doubles.
• She recorded five consecutive double-doubles this season, 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 leads the Big Ten and sits 6th in the nation for her 18 double-doubles this season. White is No. 26 in the country for her seven defensive rebounds per game as well.
• White's 18.5 points per game rank 11th in the Big Ten this season and her 2.2 blocks per game rank third. She is also third in the league for her 9.4 boards per game.
• White has been the team's leading scorer and rebounder in 13 games this season, and she has led the team in one of the two categories in all but four of Illinois' 28 games this year.
• White's numbers got a boost against Michigan as she recorded her second-career 30+-point game and her second 30-point performance against the Wolverines. Her 35 points mark the most for an Illini since Allison Curtain scored 35 against Iowa in 2001.
TURNOVER TIME
Averaging 13.5 turnovers a game, the Illini have been able to force almost 16 turnovers from their opponents on average this season. In conference games, Illinois is averaging just 12.7 turnovers per game, while continuing to force more than 14 opponent turnovers each contest. Illinois has forced 20 or more turnovers in five games this season, and Illini opponents have committed 17 or more in 13 games. Illinois has only led in the turnover category in 11 games this year. The Orange and Blue have also been taking advantage of those turnovers, averaging 15 points off turnovers each game. Illinois has recorded more points off turnovers than its opponents in 20 games this year.
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
Blocked Shots - 123 64th 7th
Fewest Turnovers – 392 47th 3rd
3FG Made per game – 7.4 35th 3rd
3FG Made - 216 23rd 3rd
3FG Attempts - 672 19th 2nd
Turnovers per game -13.5 32nd 3rd
3FG Made - Kyley Simmons – 72 42nd 6th
3FG Per Game - Kyley Simmons - 2.48 50th 6th
3FG Percentage - Kyley Simmons -- .379 63rd 8th
Rebounds per game - C. White - 9.4 44th 3rd
Rebounds - C. White – 274 24th 3rd
Double Doubles - Chatrice White –18 6th 1st
Blocked Shots - Chatrice White – 62 36th 3rd
Alex Wittinger - Blocked Shots - 47 77th 6th
Blocks per game - C. White - 2.14 40th 3rd
Alex Wittinger - 1.74 70th 5th
Defensive Rebs. per game - C. White- 7.0 26th 2nd
FG Attempts - C. White – 546 6th 2nd
FG Made - C. White –209 22nd 8th
Points - C. White - 536 42nd 11th
Minutes played - K. Simmons -1061 22nd 10th
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. The Illini again made again made a change against Purdue as Kennedy Cattenhead rejoined the lineup for that contest. Brooke Kissinger made her first career start at Nebraska and again earned the start against Northwestern. The Illini have started six different lineups so far this season, including a special senior night lineup.
HARDWORKING HEARTY
Redshirt senior Sarah Hartwell is making waves for the Illini this season as she has made herself a staple in the Orange and Blue starting lineup. Hartwell played in just 14 games last season, averaging less than one point per game. This year, she has put up 170 points, averaging 5.9 per game, while grabbing more than four rebounds per game. She has dished 73 assists, the second-most on the team only to point guard Kyley Simmons. Hartwell's 35 steals are third on the team to Simmons and Chatrice White.
Hatwell is not just a hardworker on the court, but she spends her time well off the court also. She was recently nominated for the Allstate Good Works Team for her community service efforts. The communication major spends countless hours volunteering in the Champaign-Urbana community. She is a member of Illinois' Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and is the leader of the group's Hometown Heroes subcommittee that plans service events throughout the year.
A NEW ADDITION
The Illini will see a new face on the bench for the rest of the season as Illini Volleyball standout, Alexis Viliunas, will join the women's basketball team for the remainder of the year. Viliunas is a four-year letterwinner with the volleyball squad and has experience playing basketball from her high school days. Her NCAA eligibility will be exhausted at the end of the season.
ILLINI RECEIVE GIFT FROM COURTSIDERS
The Courtsiders organzation, the official support group of Illinois women's basketball, presented a ceremonial check for $73,000 to the Illini prior to Illinois game vs. Penn State. The funding will be used to update the team's locker room facilities at Ubben, purchase new video equipment and an Omegawave Technology system. The Coutsiders organization raises funds through memberships, an annual golf outing and other activities. To learn more, email courtsiders@gmail.com.
OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION
Illinois started the season with a bang, outscoring opponents by more than 18 points in victories this year. In its nine wins, the Illini are holding opponents to just 33.9-percent shooting and 28-percent from distance. The Orange and Blue are shooting 45.5-percent from the field in victories, outrebounding opponents by four boards a game. The Illini force 16 turnovers per game in wins, only committing 12 of their own.
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.
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 39.9-percent from distance, good for 7th in the Big Ten and 53rd in the nation.
DEFENSE IS KEY
Illinois' defense 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. The Illini held Wisconsin to just 35.5-percent shooting this season, the lowest for a Big Ten opponent this year. The Illini have held three league opponents to less than 40-percent shooting in four games so far as the Lady Lions shot 39.2-percent and Rutgers shot 39.7-percent inside the State Farm Center.
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 FOUR
Cierra Rice and Alex Wittinger have both 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. Rice 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 back-to-back double-digit scoring games against SIU and Central Michigan and her second-career double-double against CMU. She earned her second nod after putting up a career-best 27 points and 15 rebounds at Minnesota on Jan. 26.
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.
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 faxsces in the starting lineups. Redshirt senior Kyley Simmons and sophomore Chatrice White are returning for a second year, but they were originally joined by first-time starters Sarah Hartwell, Kennedy Cattenhead and Cierra Rice. The Orange and Blue switched things up against George Washington, with freshmen Jaelyne Kirkpatrick and Alex Wittinger earning the start as well. Three of the five starting Illini are underclassmen, while three of the five are also first-time starters.
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.
