CHAMPAIGN Ill. —The Illinois women’s basketball team is coming off a strong 70-62 wire-to-wire win over Missouri on Wednesday, and are now 9-1 through their first ten games of the season. This is their best
start to a season since 1981-82 and a real testament to what head coach Shauna Green has done to the program.
Defense wins
One of the things that Green has really implemented in her team this season is the importance of defense and being an elite defensive team, and the players have been listening.
“We’ve always instilled our principles and our philosophies,” Green said. “It’s nothing complicated, but its hard to do because it takes great effort, great discipline, and great intensity.”
To start the season off the Illini’s defensive looked a little shaky as they lost their third game of the season to Oregon State. Much of this loss was attributed to the lack of defensive effort and intensity.
“We just had so much good film of us not doing our principles,” Green said. “And they’ve done it since then.”
This year’s team is averaging the most stocks (steals and blocks) under any Shauna Green led Illinois team at 12 per game (9.4 steals and 2.6 blocks). This is a significant increase from last year’s team which only averaged 7.7 stocks a game.
Despite this year’s squad being so young and inexperienced compared to a lot of the teams they go up against, they have a strong desire to win and to really be locked in defensively. Everyone is always giving 100% effort.
“Playing defense as a team has actually led us into a lot of steals,” Green said. “It’s also why we’re winning and we’re getting so many more opportunities.
In the last five games the Illini have forced an average of 22.5 turnovers per game. These are unreal numbers for a Shauna Green Team and have been against some quality, power conference teams.
Star transfer
When junior Maddie Webber transfer from Villanova to Illinois and April fans were very excited. She had just come off a season averaging more than 13 points per game and landing her self on the All-Big East second team.
Fans were excited for her incredible scoring capabilities, but have been captivated by her great defensive play off the bench to start the year. Webber has really bought into Coach Green’s principles
“She’s really settled in defensively,” Green said. “I trust her to guard the best player.”
Webber has excelled in using her defense to start the offense for the Illini. Whether it be her stripping another playing and taking it coast to coast, getting a steal and a quick assist to an outleted player, or deflecting the ball out of bounds, Webber is always causing disruptions.
It seems each time she does this she is leveling herself up mid game and gets better and more comfortable each play.
“When I’m playing well defensively it unlocks everything,” Webber said. “I’m going to play better on offense if I’m playing good defense. It’s kind of what fuels me.”
Against both Indiana and Missouri Webber was often guarding high level scorers and taking away their offensive opportunities for transition opportunities for herself and the team.
She has the kind of defensive persona that doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it also so clear when you watch the game. She is always involved.
“She’s been an absolute game changer for us and I think she’s that x-factor for us,” Green said.
Mean Green machine
The North Texas Mean Green come to Champaign on Sunday, and despite being in the mid-major American Conference and only boasting a 6-3 record, the Mean Green are still a scary team.
North Texas has started the season off with multiple power conference opponents, including a road win over SMU.
“We’re going to face a North Texas team that’s really good and has one of the best rebounder I think we’ll face all year,” Green said.
Green is talking about North Texas senior forward Megan Nestor. She is currently averaging 13.2 points and 12.1 boards a game.
She is most impressively coming off a very rare 30-30 game against Texas Southern where she had 34 points and 31 rebounds.
It’s safe to say Illinois bigs Cearah Parchment and Lety Vasconcelos will have their hands full on the boards in this one.
North Texas is also coming off double the rest time as the Illini so they will be pumped and ready to go.
“They’re coming in here with nothing to lose,” Green said. “And with nothing to lose.”
Tip-off is on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the State Farm Center for what is sure to be a great penultimate non conference game for the Illini.
