PREVIEW
Illinois (9-2) is set to open Big Ten action on Saturday against Northwestern (10-1) in State Farm Center in its conference opener at 2 p.m. CT. The Illini finished off the nonconference portion of their schedule with a 9-2 record, marking the best 11-game start for Illinois since the 2006-07 season.
The Orange and Blue finished off their nonconference slate and headed into the holiday break with a wire-to-wire 58-51 win to claim Braggin' Rights against Missouri in Mizzou Arena on December 20. Redshirt-junior guard Petra Holešínská paced all players with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and four three-pointers. Freshman forward Kennedi Myles registered her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while senior forward Ali Andrews joined her with 10 points, including a pair of threes.
Holešínská leads Illinois in scoring at 15.6 points per game, thanks in part to a .480 three-point shooting percentage that ranks second in the Big Ten. Myles is third nationally among freshmen in rebounding at 10.5 per game and has recorded five double-doubles in her young career.
Northwestern is off to a 10-1 start to the season and are just one of six Big Ten teams with only one loss so far this season. The Wildcats have won five-straight, including both games at the West Palm Invitational with a 64-45 win over East Carolina on December 20 and a 79-59 victory over Xavier on December 21. Junior guard Lindsey Pulliam leads the Wildcats with 17.9 points per game, while senior Abbie Wolf paces the team with 6.9 rebounds per game.
Saturday's game will be broadcast on BTN Plus, and fans can listen in on WDWS AM-1400.
UP NEXT
Illinois heads to Iowa City, Iowa for its first Big Ten road trip of the season, taking on Iowa on New Years Eve (December 31) at 2 p.m. CT.
PROMOTIONS: 217 DAY
Saturday will be "217 Day" in State Farm Center with $2 tickets, $1 hot dogs and $7 shirts available for all fans. The Illini will also be giving away FREE "Straight Outta Champaign" car decals to the first 500 fans.
NOTES
- The Illini have won three-straight and finished the nonconference with a 9-2 record, the best start to a season since 2006-07.
- Illinois is third in the Big Ten in steals (10.8 per game).
- Illinois is fourth in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage (.373).
- Freshman Kennedi Myles leads the Big Ten and third among Division I freshmen in rebounding (10.5 rpg).
- Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská is second in the Big Ten with a .480 three-point shooting percentage. She is 8th in Illinois history with 126 career three-pointers made.
- Senior Brandi Beasley is fourth in Illinois history with 400 career assists.
- Senior Ali Andrews ranks seventh in Illinois history with 129 career three-pointers made.
- Illinois has three freshmen - Myles, Jeanae Terry, and Jada Peebles - contributing major minutes. Those three have combined for 34% of the team's points, 36% of rebounds, 44% of assists and 60% of blocks.
- Head coach Nancy Fahey ranks 11th among NCAA active head coaches in career victories (765).
THE FAHEY ERA CONTINUES
The Illini are in their third season under the direction of head coach Nancy Fahey. In her first season at Illinois, Fahey coached the Orange and Blue to a 9-5 nonconference record in 2018-19, which marked the best start to the season since Illinois also earned nine non-conference victories in the 2014-15 campaign (9-3). Illinois won four of its last five games leading up to league play, with the streak marking the most consecutive victories for the Orange and Blue since the start of the 2015-16 season. Under Fahey's guidance, Illini junior Alex Wittinger garnered All-Big Ten Second Team honors, and also matched the school record for single-season offensive rebounds (125). Wittinger earned the program's second-ever triple double during the 2017-18 campaign, and set a new single-game record for blocked shots (11).
In her second season at the helm of the Illini, Fahey 's squad opened the year with a 7-0 record on Lou Henson Court for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The Orange and Blue opened the 2018-19 campaign with an 8-3 start in nonconference play, marking a .727 nonconference winning percentage. That number is the highest for an Illini squad since starting the 2014-15 campaign with a 9-5 nonconference record (.750). Fahey's squad has improved statistically in several categories under her leadership. The Orange and Blue averaged seven more points per game last season than in 2017-18, and improved their field goal percentage by more than four percent.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Beginning last season, fans attending events at State Farm Center will be permitted to carry one clear plastic or vinyl bag that does not exceed 12"x6"x12", or one clear drawstring bag not to exceed 12"x12", or one, one-gallon clear plastic or zip-lock bag. A small clutch no larger than 4.5" x 7" may also be carried in addition to one clear bag. Diaper bags (with child) and bags approved for medical needs will be permitted after search by security personnel. All other bags, backpacks, totes and coolers are strictly prohibited. To present a safe event for everyone, jackets may be searched upon entry. If prohibited items are found, the item will be confiscated OR the guest may personally return it to their vehicle or otherwise dispose of the item away from the facility. State Farm Center does not check or otherwise safeguard personal belongings. This bag policy is subject to change. Please check the event details for any additional specific event restrictions. Check here for more information.
TICKETS
Season and single-game tickets for the 2019-20 Fighting Illini women's basketball season are available now. Fans can renew, upgrade or purchase new season tickets online, at the Illinois ticket office located inside the West Main entrance of State Farm Center, or by phone at 1-866-ILLINI-1. General admission women's basketball season tickets are available for $40 each, while the combined women's basketball/volleyball season ticket is $80. Reserved season tickets in sections 101 and 109-113 are also available for $75. Floor seating, located behind the team benches (sections 10-12) is available for just $55 each. A limited number of courtside seats still remain for $100 each.
