Recent content by ILLHoopsterFan

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    Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

    I hear you, but if players 7-9, whoever they are, don’t get playing time, they will move on or accept what they are offered. They don’t have a lot of bargaining power. The women’s game is not like the men’s game; they cannot keep 9 players happy, just not enough money in the pot, as I understand it.
  2. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

    I agree with you, I think that is why this year is a great opportunity for the team. This is pure speculation, but last year I would think that Berry and Gretchen were on top of the NIL list. But believe that Cearah and Destiny earned a payday after last year's performance.
  3. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

    I love your enthusiasm, but I don’t think that Green will have musical chairs as starters, just not her style. Since she has been at ILL she picks her 5 and sticks with them unless injury occurs. My GUESS that it will be Destiny, Gretchen, Berry, Cearah, and Lety. Maddie first off the bench, and...
  4. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

    Good point—In addition to those 3, others might start to consider jumping ship, can’t say I would blame them. The idea of keeping them all together is great, but kids want to play. Why would someone sit on the bench if they could play more and likely get paid the same amount if not more...
  5. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

    This sounds great, but I doubt we have enough money to pay them all and enough minutes to keep them all happy.
  6. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

    I agree, but playing her 3.5 minutes per game for a team with a frontcourt that lacked size and strength sends a clear message. What little we saw of her, I think she can be a contributor at this level or a notch below. Best of luck, Naomi!
  7. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Do you mean WNBA pro or a European pro? I don’t follow it at all, but I know there's a huge gap on the men’s side between the NBA and international play.
  8. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Don’t see an availability report for the game, which is supposed to be posted 3 hours before the game. Stuelke was out for the 3/1/26 game at Wisconsin. If she does play, I'll be watching how ILL plays D on her on Heiden, last time combined for 46 points.
  9. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    I agree, they looked tired, and except for Maddie, didn’t get much bench help. Hopefully, someone steps up to play back-to-back games in the tournament, but it is a tall order for 6 players.
  10. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Disclaimer: Many years ago, I coached some basketball, and I know that Coach Green and staff have forgotten more about basketball than I know, but here is my crack at your question. Tough play to defend, which is why so many teams run it, especially when it guarantees the 2 best Iowa players are...
  11. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Tough call on the last foul by Jackson. But ILL made some critical mistakes that cost them. Ball screen defense on the Heiden pick and roll was bad; it was an elementary school horns set play, and they got an uncontested lay-up with 25 seconds to go.
  12. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Shooting 30% from the field and 12.5% from 3, at half, it is tough to be competitive with those numbers, hopefully they can get it going in the second half.
  13. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    It is tough to figure out. She missed 4-5 games, comes back plays 4 minutes and apparently reinjured it or wasn’t ready to play. It would be nice if they could get it figured out before the tournaments, but I am not optimistic. Looking forward to seeing what kind of crowd they get today, should...
  14. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Great win! I don't understand why they played Gretchen, clearly not ready to play, limping on the court, and spent most of the second half with an ice bag on her knee. The goal should be get her back healthy for the BIG. It will be tough to make a run in the BIG/NCAA without her.
  15. I

    Illini Women's Basketball 2025-2026

    Team playing well, led by Parchment. Good to see Gretchen back, but she is limping as she leaves the court at halftime.
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