What I mean is if we don't have that irrefutable factor of youth detract the process,the team has all the defensive chops to match against any style that's in the B1G schedule for them, including UCLA and USC (being honest I'd rather clobber Iowa and Nebraska over any of the rest..), Michigan,Ohio State,etc..I personally haven't seen a lack of rebounding on this team.If they are lacking in rebounding,they are making it up in turnovers ..I was watching the Presser and I'm certain Coach Green was suppressing her excitement about the team.She did say to them in locker room that she believes the team has no limits if it sticks to the script that they have shown since that Oregon State game..My eye for the game says they can too ... With 10 players.not 7 Coach Green .lol
Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026
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I do see the small flaw in our coach .....She hasa very small window of trust.If you're in it,she rides hard for them..But once the season starts she keeps her rotating way too low..We were up 38 before she went Irene...Irene has shown some.. Even though she looks awkward WE HAVE TO PLAY HAYVEN AND NAOMI... Because as we have seen our coach leans heavily on starters..She has talent on the bench that may be clumsy early but I think Naomi can play and she looks pretty big and agile.Hayven is not lost..She has to grow some confidence and that's by playing some.
That might have been the best thing for them, rather taking the shellacking handed down..They had to be in shock...Today for them is back to the drawing board...lol
MustangWally
- Mayfield
You mean not start?
Only slight complaint I have is Shauna does not bring in her the backups at the end of the game. I would like to see Benson, or Haven Smith get some minutes. I wonder if these players will stick around after this season.
I think Smith will be gone.
What about Benson? Wasn’t she considered a great recruit? She did not play a minute yesterday.
Makes sense
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Replacement and why please?
Has anyone heard where Guyton was ? Thanks.
She was out due to injury.
JimILL75
- Florida
My opinion on Benson, Smith and Dolan. Disclaimer first, Coach Green makes the decisions and I trust in her.
Right now with Dolan starting she brings a tough, physical presence to start the game, can score in a variety of ways, dishes the assist and does a lot of things well. Probably has not had great games always, but plays hard and I think will do even better as the season goes on, getting back to her old self. Webber who I think most would assume is next up could be the Big Ten sixth man of the year if she keeps up the way she is playing. Sure is nice to have that energy, scoring, defense come in off the bench. Plus she gets as many minutes as a starter filling in at several positions. While we keep winning I doubt if their is a change in starters, unless something happens in practice.
Benson and Smith are in development stage and actually a luxury to have that depth on the bench. Neither is much, if any of a scoring value at this time. Both play physical, bang around the other big players they are guarding and like it or not the refs allow bigger players to get away with it. If Parchemnt leaned on someone like Smith does she would get called for a foul. Lety gets away with some of this and how nice is this to watch us have a big. However even Lety is more mobile and she doesn't get away with the body lean that so far Smith and Benson can due to the bulk they have. (sorry girls) Even if those two pick up fouls it's not that big of deal.
If Smith moves on it is because she wants to. I just don't think the team would want to give up the 11th or 12th player with that size if she is happy with her role. Benson I think will develop and be a force on the boards in future years if she sticks it out. I still hold out hope Smith will develop more, can't have enough tall girls with the amazing guards this team has.
Right now with Dolan starting she brings a tough, physical presence to start the game, can score in a variety of ways, dishes the assist and does a lot of things well. Probably has not had great games always, but plays hard and I think will do even better as the season goes on, getting back to her old self. Webber who I think most would assume is next up could be the Big Ten sixth man of the year if she keeps up the way she is playing. Sure is nice to have that energy, scoring, defense come in off the bench. Plus she gets as many minutes as a starter filling in at several positions. While we keep winning I doubt if their is a change in starters, unless something happens in practice.
Benson and Smith are in development stage and actually a luxury to have that depth on the bench. Neither is much, if any of a scoring value at this time. Both play physical, bang around the other big players they are guarding and like it or not the refs allow bigger players to get away with it. If Parchemnt leaned on someone like Smith does she would get called for a foul. Lety gets away with some of this and how nice is this to watch us have a big. However even Lety is more mobile and she doesn't get away with the body lean that so far Smith and Benson can due to the bulk they have. (sorry girls) Even if those two pick up fouls it's not that big of deal.
If Smith moves on it is because she wants to. I just don't think the team would want to give up the 11th or 12th player with that size if she is happy with her role. Benson I think will develop and be a force on the boards in future years if she sticks it out. I still hold out hope Smith will develop more, can't have enough tall girls with the amazing guards this team has.
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For a power forward, Benson runs the floor really well. I'm somewhat perplexed she's played the fewest minutes of anyone on the season.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
I am sure we will have some new players - via portal or freshman.
There is a war going on for playing time. I am sure that Maddy, Aaliyuh and Lety all think they are good enough to be starters while Gretchen, Berry, Destiny, Cearah and Jasmine want to stay starters. We are 8 deep.
Haven, Irene and Naomi will have to improve significantly to get more more minutes.
Gisella is grad student. But she played 4 years at div 2 so who knows how much eligibility she has left.
There will be injuries and transfers out. We also will add Manuela and Erica who are redshirting due to injuries.
On the bench in street clothes
She looked really good in her limited minutes against Bellarmine. Smooth jumper, runs well, seemed locked in. I think she has a bright future somewhere.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
Berry is really a SF and Cearah is a stretch 4.
Plenty of playing time for Naomi once she adjusts to college game. Cearah has struggled with fouls and rather than going small ball I am sure Shauna would love some beef of the bench.
Wait till we play Betts from UCLA. We will need all 20 fouls at center (Lety, Cearah, Naomi and Haven).
Plenty of playing time for Naomi once she adjusts to college game. Cearah has struggled with fouls and rather than going small ball I am sure Shauna would love some beef of the bench.
Wait till we play Betts from UCLA. We will need all 20 fouls at center (Lety, Cearah, Naomi and Haven).
Surprised we aren’t ranked but Illinois is not a big name yet in women’s college BB but we will make a statement this season.
But, 9 other B10 teams are ranked. Gonna be a gauntlet.
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