Illini Women's Basketball 2026-2027

#78      
Illiniindian
JKR said:
A few tidbits from a Courtsider gathering this evening:

Jackson's three-pointer is much improved.
Lety is more aggressive on the offensive end of the court.
Parchment gained confidence playing with her national team this summer and gained strength in the weightroom.
Bourrage is getting better every day but is having to adjust to an entirely new system and set of expectations. Need to be patient.
Health is improving but haven't yet had a full practice with everyone at full strength.
Expects conference to be even stronger than it has been. No gimmes.
Entire roster is eligible to return next year, and she would like for that to happen. Still recruiting though.
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Good to hear on Destiny. She reminds me of Dee Brown in that she is faster than anyone else on the court but struggles to finish against taller players. If she can improve her passing even more, she is all American
 
#83      
Luwdoo
ptgrd23 said:
We have good guard depth.

We really need our 5's to step forward - Letty and Manuela. Teams pound us inside.
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We have good guard depth if Aaliyah is healthy and Divine is performing well. Right now Aaliyah might not be healthy and all I hear said about Divine is that we have to be patient. It's worrisome. I was hoping Divine was going to make an immediate impact.
The fact that Gretchen is playing well is great news. I thought she would be the one that would be slow to come around.
 
#84      
Rlouizjr01
I'm not sure what Coach Green is saying about Divine but pure ball player wise ,no one on this team has more pedigree than the No.7 player in her class...She was an All American in her class..If she doesn't play and this team loses more than 7 games,it will diminish opportunities with other players for sure If Alliyah is out Divine WILL play..It's plain ole nonsensical to have not playing.She will do well by accident..It takes 4 years in highschool to be top24...
 
#85      
Rlouizjr01
I love Coach Green But there is no way she'd be foolish enough to bury a 5 star in the bottom of the rotation.
 
#86      
ptgrd23
She was not a bust at LSU

She avg 10 mpg over 24 games. LSU was 29-6 They were a #2 seed.

The primary perimeter players logging major minutes ahead of her in head coach Kim Mulkey’s rotation included:
• Flau'jae Johnson & Mikaylah Williams: LSU's premier returning starting guards. Johnson (a senior leader) and Williams (an All-SEC junior) dominated the bulk of the wing and guard minutes.
• MiLaysia Fulwiley: The marquee junior transfer from South Carolina who occupied a significant role in the guard rotation.
• Jada Richard & Kailyn Gilbert: Richard (a sophomore who started 34 games) and Gilbert (a senior) further solidified the guard depth chart.
• Fellow 5-Star Freshmen: She was also competing for backup minutes with other elite freshmen in LSU's No. 1 ranked recruiting class, such as guards ZaKiyah Johnson and Bella Hines.

Divine was ranked #4 by ESPN and #7 by 24/7. Destiny was #25 and #31. Berry #20

I would not be surprised to see Divine in starting lineup by end of season. Aaliyuh 5'7" and Destiny 5'6". Divine is 5'11". We got dominated by Michigan's 6' backcourt. JuJu Watkins is 6'2". Okunawa at MD is 5'10"
 
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#88      
Luwdoo
ptgrd23 said:
She was not a bust at LSU

She avg 10 mpg over 24 games. LSU was 29-6 They were a #2 seed.

The primary perimeter players logging major minutes ahead of her in head coach Kim Mulkey’s rotation included:
• Flau'jae Johnson & Mikaylah Williams: LSU's premier returning starting guards. Johnson (a senior leader) and Williams (an All-SEC junior) dominated the bulk of the wing and guard minutes.
• MiLaysia Fulwiley: The marquee junior transfer from South Carolina who occupied a significant role in the guard rotation.
• Jada Richard & Kailyn Gilbert: Richard (a sophomore who started 34 games) and Gilbert (a senior) further solidified the guard depth chart.
• Fellow 5-Star Freshmen: She was also competing for backup minutes with other elite freshmen in LSU's No. 1 ranked recruiting class, such as guards ZaKiyah Johnson and Bella Hines.

Divine was ranked #4 by ESPN and #7 by 24/7. Destiny was #25 and #31. Berry #20

I would not be surprised to see Divine in starting lineup by end of season. Aaliyuh 5'7" and Destiny 5'6". Divine is 5'11". We got dominated by Michigan's 6' backcourt. JuJu Watkins is 6'2". Okunawa at MD is 5'10"
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She averaged 10 mpg but only 2.1 ppg. Her most points in a game was 6. Not real impressive for the #7 player in the class. I hope your right about her eventually starting. Thats what I'm hoping for too. I'm hoping that she's in the same conversation as Destiny, Berry and Cearah. I get doubtful though when all I hear is we need to be patient. We didnt need to be patient last year when Destiny was a true freshman.
I was also really encouraged by what Aaliyah was doing on the Brazilian team and what Shauna was saying about her being in tip top shape and much improved. Now she's not even practicing. With a much improved Aaliyah and a top performing Divine this team could be really special.
 
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