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ILLINOIS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

For the next few weeks, I’ll be covering Illinois women’s basketball a program under Head Coach Shauna Green’s leadership is building a real momentum. Green has continously elevated the Illini, and her leadership is shaping a team with growing grit and identity. 

This season, I am especially watching Gretchen Dolan, a returning guard expected to take on a larger role, and Berry Wallace, whose play as a young forward drew a lot of attention. The addition of five-star Destiny Jackson will be one to watch.

I want to highlight how this team is growing and how Green’s system is developing. I’ll be on the sidelines, in the locker room when possible, and sharing stories from former and current players. Stay tuned: Illinois women’s basketball is on a climb, and I’m excited to tell their story.

November 21, 2025

Illinois’ 2025–26 Roster Is Young and Rebuilding

Illinois women’s basketball is heading into the 2025–26 season looking completely different from last years team and that’s part of what makes this team so interesting. Illini lost most of last season’s main scorers. Coach Shauna Green and staff hit the road by going to get some youth to develop. They came out with a high-ranked recruiting class. 

Illinois has one  of the youngest teams in the Big Ten, but the talent is there. Five-star guard Destiny Jackson, a Chicago kid stayed local. She comes in with the kind of poise and playmaking that fits right into what Green wants to run. Gretchen Dolan is stepping into a bigger leadership role on the perimeter, and Berry Wallace looks ready to build on what she showed last season and ready to take another leap. 

Being young comes with challenges. Freshmen Erica Finney and Manuella Alves being out for the year hurts a rotation that was already light on experience. But even with the injuries, you can feel that Green has a plan. She’s building a group that can grow together instead of patching things up year to year.

Illinois might be young, but there’s real upside here. This season feels like the start of something that could turn into a long-term breakthrough for the program.

November 1, 2025

Illinois Showing Early Signs of Who They Can Be

Two games in, Illinois women’s basketball is already giving us a good idea of what this season might look like. The opener against SEMO belonged to Berry Wallace, who went off for a career-high 27 points and looked like the most confident player on the floor. She backed it up against Illinois State, proving her breakout wasn’t just a hot night — she’s becoming the steady force this young team needs.

Another early takeaway is the depth. Shauna Green is using her bench early and often, and the energy from those rotations has been a real boost. Freshman Destiny Jackson also deserves credit. She’s still learning, but her court vision and composure stand out every time she touches the ball.

Illinois is starting to shape an identity built on pace, defense and sharing the ball. They’re still young, and the growing pains will show up, but the foundation is already there

November 1, 2025

Illinois Handles Western Kentucky And I Saw It Up Close

Covering Illinois’ matchup against Western Kentucky from the sideline was a completely different experience. It was fast, loud, and full of details you miss from the stands. Illinois brought steady energy throughout, and once again, Berry Wallace stood out. Her presence on both ends shifted the game’s rhythm, especially during Illinois’ second-quarter push where she controlled the glass and scored through contact.

Being on the floor gave me a clearer look at how vocal Wallace is becoming, constantly talking through screens and keeping younger players settled. Illinois’ momentum feels real right now, and seeing it up close made that even clearer.

November 26, 2025

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Seeing Illinois’ 70–41 win over Western Kentucky from the sideline made one thing clear: Berry Wallace is the steadying force of this young Illini team.

Illinois started slow against WKU’s disruptive 1–3–1 zone, scraping out a 12–10 first quarter while navigating early foul trouble for Jasmine Hagger. But the energy shifted in the second. The Illini tightened defensively, Wallace’s voice leading every rotation, and Maddie Webber provided a major spark off the bench with eight late points to help Illinois take a 27–23 halftime lead.

From there, Illinois wore the Toppers down. Wallace controlled matchups, created second-chance opportunities, and kept the pace steady, while Webber carried her momentum into the second half. The Illini opened the game wide in the third and never looked back.

If Illinois gets this focused version of Wallace heading into Big Ten play, their ceiling rises quickly.

Illinois 70, Western Kentucky 41.

November 26, 2025

Illinois Handles Le Moyne Easily, 100–28

llinois didn’t waste any time Sunday, jumping out to a 20–0 lead and basically putting the game away in the first few minutes. The Illini led 36–6 after the first quarter and never really slowed down from there.

Cearah Parchment came up big with 17 points and an impressive 10 steals, which tied a program record. Maddie Webber added 15 off the bench, and Illinois ended up with six players in double figures.

Le Moyne struggled all afternoon, turning it over 31 times and shooting under 23 percent. Illinois just ran away with it, using their depth and pressure defense to close out one of their most convincing wins of the season.

Final: Illinois 100, Le Moyne 28.

November 30, 2025

Seeing My Friend Mo Reid Coach Against Illinois

This game was a full-circle moment for me. Bellarmine came into Champaign with their new head coach — my friend and former overseas teammate, Mo Reid. Just two years ago she was still playing, then jumped to assistant, and now she’s running her own Division I program. Seeing her on the sideline honestly made me proud.

Before the game, we talked a little. She told me she didn’t expect to become a head coach this fast, but she felt ready for the challenge. And watching her coach, you could tell. She stayed calm, kept teaching, and never let her team lose their focus.

Illinois handled business, but for me the story wasn’t the score. It was watching someone I’ve grown with step into something huge. It also reminded me how personal covering sports can feel when your real life overlaps with your beat.

Illinois Is Starting Form Their Identity

With the last win over Bellamarine, Illinois is seemingly figuring out who they are. Their roster screams youth but I noticed a confidence building game by game. Obviously, Berry Wallace has become the steady piece they lean on but Freshman such asDestiny Jackson is settling in. She just plays with a calmness you don’t usually see this early. I’m curious how this will translate in Big 10 Play.

What I like most is how connected they look. They’re playing faster, defending harder, and trusting each other more. You can tell Shauna Green is shaping them into something. They’re not perfect, but the foundation is there, and that’s all you can ask for this early.

December 1, 2025

Illinois wbb is exactly where they should be

If you look at Illinois’ roster, the first thing you see is how young they are. And honestly, I think that’s the best thing that could’ve happened for this program with the exiting of Bostic and Bryant the team lead heavily on them and it was time for a new identity.

Some people might look at it as a “rebuilding year,” while I do see some youth and chemistry clusters I believe this team will be okay. Shauna Green and staff really went out and addressed their recruiting issues this summer. Kudos to them. This team is big, they have depth, and are willing to make mistakes. It seems they picked a group who they can mold.

Illinois women’s basketball is exciting I am watching these players game after game step into bigger roles.

Berry Wallace continues to be the heartbeat of the team. After back-to-back strong games, even when her scoring is low she is consistent in: talking on defense, helping younger players, and keeping the team steady. “I just try to stay consistent and give my energy every play,” Wallace said after the Western Kentucky game. And you can see it , she really is their anchor.

Freshman Destiny Jackson has also been a standout. She has a poise and aura about her. I have this theory about Chicago guards. They just get it. “I just try to see the game and make the right play,” Jackson told me. She’s already fitting right into Coach Green’s system.

Another freshman making an impact is Cearah Parchment, who wears number 30. She’s aggressive on both ends, fearless driving to the basket, and already making her presence felt. “I just want to help the team and keep learning every game,” Parchment said. It’s exciting to see another freshman step up and add energy to this young roster.

I can’t forget to mention Gretchen Dolan. She has to be on the floor for the team to compete. Even with injury last season her experience is helping guide this new team. With Wallace, Jackson, Parchment, and Dolan all contributing in different ways, the team is starting to find its rhythm.

Look, there’s going to be growing pains, they’re young. I have watched them mak mistakes happen, the rotations have gotten messy at times, and sometimes the offense becomes a bit stagnant.But that’s part of the fun. Watching them learn in real time.

Coach Shauna Green is giving them freedom to grow while setting the tone. “We want them to grow together, figure things out on the floor, and compete every night,” Green said. That’s showing in how connected the team looks each game.

Illinois may be young, but they’re fast, confident, and full of personality.

December 1, 2025