University of Illinois
Valparaiso
Game Notes | Illini Host Valpo Wednesday
December 1, 2020 | Women's Basketball
| Illinois (1-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. Valparaiso (0-1, 0-0 MVC) | |
|---|---|
| When | Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 | 5 p.m. CT |
| Where | State Farm Center | Champaign, Ill. |
| Watch | BTN Plus |
| Listen | Listen |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Illini Links | Game Notes (PDF) |
| Valparaiso | ValpoAthletics.com |
| Shop | Online Store |
| Social Media | @IlliniWBB  | #Illini | @IlliniWBB  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
PREVIEW
OPENING TIP: The Fighting Illini women's basketball program, coming off of a 68-49 season-opening win over Indiana State, welcomes Valparaiso to State Farm Center on Wednesday evening. Tipoff between the Illini (1-0) and the Crusaders (0-1), is set for 5 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on BTN+ with Scott Sudikoff (play-by-play) and Carson Gourdie (color). Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on WDWS 1400 AM. Streaming audio and live stats are also available at FightingIllini.com.
ABOUT VALPARAISO: Valparaiso enters Wednesday's game coming off of a loss 70-60 road loss at Bowling Green on Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders, now in Year 3 under head coach Mary Evans, turned in one of the largest improvements in the country last year, going 17-12 after an 8-24 mark in Evans' first season at the helm. In the opener vs. BGSU, Valpo was led by a trio of experienced guards in senior Grace White and junior backcourt mates Shay Fredrick and Carie Weinman. White tallied 15 points, six boards and four steals in 33 minutes of action. Frederick notched 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers, and three assists and two steals in 34 minutes. Weinman played 36 minutes and tallied nine points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals.
SERIES VS. VALPO: The Illini are 4-0 all-time in the series with the Crusaders. Illinois has won all three previous matchups in Champaign, including the most recent, a 73-54 decision on Nov. 14, 2018, Illinois head coach Nancy Fahey's second season at Illinois. Current Illini J-Naya Ephraim and Lyric Robins each saw action in that previous matchup. Ephraim, then a freshman in just her second collegiate game, tallied two points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 18 minutes off the Illini's bench. Robins played five minutes in a reserve role and pulled down one rebound.
UP NEXT: The tip time for Sunday's matchup vs. Omaha has been set for 2 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on BTN+ with Scott Sudikoff (play-by-play) and Carson Gourdie (color). Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on WDWS 1400 AM. Streaming audio and live stats are also available at FightingIllini.com.
