Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

#276      
"An average of 5,766 fans took in each regular season outing in SFC last season, which ranked as the third-best mark in Illinois women's basketball history. Home crowds for the Illini were the fifth largest in the Big Ten and ranked 14th across the NCAA." (FightingIllini.com)

Average home attendance over the last three seasons:
2023-4: 3,720
2024-5: 4,967
2025-6: 5,766

I think our home attendance average increases again.
6,000?
7,000?!
 
#277      
Our projected opening night starting line-up? As well as the first 3 off the bench? TY!!!!

My guess this evening is:
Destiny
Brown-Hagger
Wallace
Parchment
Alves

I feel most confident in Destiny, Wallace, and Parchment starting. I have a really hard time guessing the first three off the bench because I think we have a solid 10-deep rotation, including Guyton, Bourrage, Dolan, Webber, and Vasconcelos. If we're truly restricting this prediction exercise to opening night--against perhaps a D2 squad--I wouldn't be shocked if the first substitution is all five of the above checking in together.

I never want to count anyone out, but I suspect the value of the remaining rostered five most likely manifests in practice competition and bench energy.
 
#279      
I wish they would quit harping on that starting notion.She can play,and really well.This team has seriously added at least 3 starters with Manuela and Dolan coming back..Divine is going to be the McDonald's AA.She is the highest ranked recruit to ever come to Champaign..This team is going to be awesome,no doubt about it.
 
#280      
"An average of 5,766 fans took in each regular season outing in SFC last season, which ranked as the third-best mark in Illinois women's basketball history. Home crowds for the Illini were the fifth largest in the Big Ten and ranked 14th across the NCAA." (FightingIllini.com)

Average home attendance over the last three seasons:
2023-4: 3,720
2024-5: 4,967
2025-6: 5,766

I think our home attendance average increases again.
6,000?
7,000?!
That is really impressive!
 
#281      
My guess this evening is:
Destiny
Brown-Hagger
Wallace
Parchment
Alves

I feel most confident in Destiny, Wallace, and Parchment starting. I have a really hard time guessing the first three off the bench because I think we have a solid 10-deep rotation, including Guyton, Bourrage, Dolan, Webber, and Vasconcelos. If we're truly restricting this prediction exercise to opening night--against perhaps a D2 squad--I wouldn't be shocked if the first substitution is all five of the above checking in together.

I never want to count anyone out, but I suspect the value of the remaining rostered five most likely manifests in practice competition and bench energy.
My guess is:
Jackson
Dolan
Berry
Parchment
Vasconcelos.
Three proven scorers. An excellent point guard and a center who can alter shots and clog up the middle.
First off the bench is Webber, which is a role she seems to enjoy.
After that, Brown-Haggar, Bourrage, Guyton, and Alves will compete for minutes. It will be a fun season.
 
#282      
I think starting out the season we will see Berry , Gretchen , Destiny and CC are sure fire starters ...............

Lety fouls too much to be a starter............
Maddie is too valuable as the 6th man , giving us a boost when she checks in.............
Guyton needs to be PG2 , and another boost...........
Jasmine could be the 5th starter because of her defense alone.........
Bourrage and Alves make us such a loaded roster along with the rest of the squad......

this years roster could be coach Green's best so far since she has been at the Illini........the squad pre Cook injuries was very good but not as deep as this season............JMHO................
 
#283      
Guarantee - Berry SF, Destiny PG, Cearah PF

Fighting for other 2 slots - Gretchen 5'11" (2 consecutive years of knee injuries scary) SF , Divine is 5'11" top 20 HS recruit 2G, Manuela C 6'3", Aliyah 5'6" Jasmine 5'9"

JMO

1. Limit Gretchen to 20 mpg to protect her knee
2. Start Manuela to build her confidence
3. Start Divine - lets find that top 20 talent
4. Aaliyah and Jasmine are too small to start next to Destiny
5. Maddy plays better off bench
 
#284      
I think the obvious 3 plus Divine and Manu give us the highest ceiling.
Maddie, Aaliyah, Jasmine, provide speed and quickness.
Gretchen if she is healthy. A big if though.
Lety needs to improve a lot to play any significant minutes. She does not clog up the middle and alters very few shots. She’s most effective against other very large post players.

With Destiny, Divine, Maddie, Aaliyah, and Jasmine we can keep some real speed on the floor at all times. That should be a strong point for us this year. Having Gretchen and Lety in together would really slow us down.
I hope Lety proves me wrong.
 
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