University of Illinois
Michigan
Illini Head to Michigan for Wednesday Road Matchup
February 18, 2020 | Women's Basketball
| Illinois (11-14, 2-12) at Michigan (16-9, 7-7) | |
|---|---|
| When | Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 | 6 p.m. CT |
| Where | Crisler Center | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
| Tickets | Tickets |
| Watch | BTN Plus |
| Listen | Listen |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Illini Links | Game Notes (PDF) | Record Book | Stats |
| Michigan | mgoblue.com |
| Shop | Online Store |
| Social Media | @IlliniWBB  | #Illini | @IlliniWBB  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
PREVIEW
The Fighting Illini women's basketball team faces back-to-back road contests this week, beginning with a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for a matchup with the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday (Feb. 19). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT from Crisler Center.
The Illini own an 11-14 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 outing on Sunday (Feb. 16), the Illini dropped a 70-58 decision to Purdue on Senior Day at State Farm Center. Illinois was outrebounded by a 42-19 margin and was unable to keep pace as Purdue found a rhythm from beyond the three-point line in the second half to pull away from the Illini. Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská finished as one of three Fighting Illini to tally double-figures scoring - joining senior guard Courtney Joens (12 points) and freshman guard Jeanae Terry (10) - pouring in a game-high 18 points, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Illinois jumped out to a 16-15 lead after the first quarter, but after the teams exchanged 9-0 runs to open the second stanza, the Boilermakers scored the final six points heading into halftime, and the first four coming out of the locker room to build a lead they would never relinquish..
Michigan enters Wednesday's matchup with a 16-9 record and sits eighth in the Big Ten with a 7-7 mark after losing 62-41 at Rutgers on Sunday. The Wolverines have four players averaging double-digit points, led by Naz Hillmon at 16.6 per game to go along with a team-leading 8.4 rebounds per game. As a team, the Wolverines are averaging 70.9 points per game on a .452 shooting percentage, while holding their opponents to 62.7 points per contest.
UP NEXT
Illinois travels to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday (Feb. 22) at 2 p.m. CT at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
NOTES
- Redshirt junior Petra Holešínská ranks tied for 12th in the conference with 14.0 points per game and sits third the Big Ten with a .425 three-point shooting percentage.
- Holešínská recently moved into fifth all-time in program history. After draining four three-pointers in the win at Penn State, she added four more in the Illini's most recent game vsl Purdue to move her career total to 155 three-pointers. Mandy Cunningham (1990-94) is next in Holešínská's path and is in fourth place with 168 treys. Senior Ali Andrews sits in seventh place with 147 career treys, two behind Kylie Simons (2015-16).
- Freshman Kennedi Myles ranks tied for fifth in the Big Ten with 8.4 rebounds per game, eighth-most among all Division I true freshmen, while also sitting tied for fourth with 2.1 steals per game in the Big Ten.
- Myles' six double-doubles ties a Illinois freshman record for double-doubles in a season.
- Senior Brandi Beasley is fourth in Illinois history with 427 career assists.
- Beasley also ranks among the career leaders in scoring, sitting 19th with 1,319 career points.
- Illinois has three freshmen - Myles, Jeanae Terry, and Jada Peebles - contributing major minutes. Those three have combined for 31% of the Illini's points, 37% of their rebounds, 45% of the team's assists, 49% of steals and 49% of blocks.
- The Illini finished the nonconference with a 9-2 record, the best start to a season since 2006-07.
- Head coach Nancy Fahey ranks 12th among NCAA active head coaches in career victories (767).
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.
