PREVIEW
Illinois continues its two-game homestand on Sunday (Jan. 12) as it hosts Minnesota in State Farm Center at 2 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network. Sunday is Illini For Life Day, with free Illini onesies given out to the first 100 babies (two years and under). There will also be post-game autographs on the court.
The Illini own a 9-6 overall record on the season after finishing 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. In their last contest, the Illini battled, before falling 75-51 to Rutgers on Thursday (January 9) night in State Farm Center. Redshirt-junior Petra Holešínská had a stand-out night with a team-high 18 points, including a career-high made free-throws after turning in a 9-for-11 effort from the charity stripe, while also adding a pair of assists. Sophomore Mackenzie Blazek grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to go along with seven points and two blocks on the night, while freshman Kennedi Myles added eight points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Illini.
Minnesota, who enters Sunday's game receiving votes in the AP Poll, own an 11-4 overall record and a 1-3 mark in the Big Ten. After a conference-opening win over Penn State, the Gophers have lost three-straight against Ohio State (66-63), Nebraska (72-58) and Northwestern (56-54) in their most-recent outing. Taiye Bello is the team's top scorer and rebounder on the road, averaging 15.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Also in double figures are Destiny Pitts (14.8), Sara Scalia (13.8) and Gadiva Hubbard (12.0).
Sunday's game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network, and fans can listen in on WDWS AM-1400.
UP NEXT
Illinois heads on the road next week, first traveling to West Lafayette, Ind., for a 6 p.m. CT game at Purdue on Thursday (Jan. 16), before taking on Ohio State on Sunday (Jan. 19) at 1 p.m. CT in Columbus, Ohio.
NOTES
- The Illini finished the nonconference with a 9-2 record, the best start to a season since 2006-07.
- Illinois is tied for sixth in the Big Ten in steals (9.4 per game).
- Illinois is fifth in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage (.348) and fifth with 100 made three-pointers (6.7 threes per game).
- Freshman Kennedi Myles ranks second in the Big Ten and fourth among Division I freshmen in rebounding (9.3 rpg), while also sitting sixth with 2.2 steals per game.
- Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská ranks 12th in the conference with 14.3 points per game and leads the Big Ten with a .467 three-point shooting percentage. She ranks seventh in Illinois history with 132 career three-pointers made, while senior Ali Andrews sits in eighth with 131 career treys.
- Holešínská also ranks second in the B1G with a .820 free-throw percentage.
- Senior Brandi Beasley is fourth in Illinois history with 407 career assists.
- 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, 49% of steals and 52% 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.
