CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illini women’s basketball 2026-27 schedule is coming together as the team announced a trip down to the Bahamas over Thanksgiving weekend in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship Tournament.
Illinois is set to duel Marquette on Friday, Nov. 27, followed by a matchup with Saint Jospeh’s, Sunday, Nov. 29 before gearing up for conference play. The tournament will also feature a Big Ten rival in USC.
Illinois vs. Marquette
Marquette finished a modest 18-12 on the season last year, losing its initial game
in the Big East Tournament. The Golden Eagles will be looking to bounce back from last year’s Coconut Hoops tournament, in which they fell to both Iowa State and Gonzaga, ultimately ending the season 0-3 in neutral court games.
Marquette will have its hands full, losing two key starters in Lee Volker and Skylar Forbes (West Virginia transfer), the ladder of which was its leading scorer. It will likely be 2025 All-Big East First Team selection Hailey Vice, taking charge for the Golden Eagles as they take on the Illini in a season with high expectations in Champaign.
Illinois vs. Saint Joseph’s
Saint Joseph’s had a competitive campaign last year, finishing 20-11 which placed it fifth in the Atlantic 10 conference. Unlike the Golden Eagles of Marquette, the Hawks maintain excellent continuity, retaining all three of their top scorers, two of which are all-conference players.
Saint Joseph’s finished the season 1-1 in neutral site matchups, including a win over Duquesne in the A10 tournament. The Hawks also held a competitive battle against their lone Big Ten opponent from last year in a 89-77 loss to Penn State.
The Hawks may be a lesser-known team but watch out for this to be a sneaky trap game for the Illini as Saint Joseph’s look to slay a giant.
Looking Ahead
The Illini await the release of their remaining schedule ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
