The Illinois women’s basketball team has been rolling through non-conference play like a team on a mission. At 10-1 through their first 11 games, the Illini aren’t just winning-they’re dominating. With an average margin of victory north of 23 points per game, this group hasn’t just found its rhythm; they’ve set the tempo for what could be a special season in Champaign.
Tonight, they’ll look to close out their non-conference slate with a statement as they host Jackson State, a team that’s struggled to find its footing this year. The Lady Tigers enter the matchup at 2-7, and the numbers haven’t been kind-especially on the defensive end. They’ve been on the wrong side of some lopsided results, including a 42-point loss to Coastal Carolina, and now face an Illinois squad ranked in the top 50 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
So, as the Illini gear up for their final tune-up before Big Ten play, let’s dive into a couple key storylines to watch.
Will Illinois’ Offense Keep Firing on All Cylinders?
Illinois is averaging 80.4 points per game, good for 29th in the country. That’s not just solid production-that’s elite territory.
And what makes this team so dangerous is its depth. There’s no single point of failure here.
Multiple players can take over a game, and the offense flows with a purpose. Whether it’s pushing the pace in transition or executing in the half-court, the Illini have shown they can score in a variety of ways.
That’s bad news for a Jackson State team that’s been leaking points all season. The Lady Tigers rank 291st nationally in points allowed, giving up 70.1 per game.
Against major-conference opponents, those struggles have only been magnified. Their defensive rotations have been slow, they’ve struggled to contest shots on the perimeter, and interior help has been inconsistent at best.
Illinois, meanwhile, has been crisp and confident. The ball movement is sharp, the shot selection is disciplined, and the execution is high-level.
If they come out with the same energy and focus they’ve shown in recent games, it’s not a stretch to think this one could get out of hand early. Don’t be surprised if the Illini flirt with the 85-point mark again tonight.
Can Berry Wallace Keep Her Hot Streak Alive?
If there’s one player who’s taken her game to another level this season, it’s Berry Wallace. The Pickerington, Ohio native has been nothing short of sensational, averaging 17.8 points per game-putting her among the top 60 scorers in the country. She’s been the go-to option in crunch time, the spark plug in transition, and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Wallace is coming off a career night in Illinois’ last outing, where she dropped 28 points and pulled down nine rebounds in 39 minutes. Her efficiency was just as impressive as her volume-8-for-14 from the field, 3-for-5 from deep, and 9-for-11 at the line. That’s the kind of all-around performance that turns heads, and it’s clear she’s growing more confident with each game.
Tonight, she’ll face a Jackson State frontcourt that’s been vulnerable. In each of their last two games, opposing forwards have scored 15 or more points, and Wallace has the skillset to exploit those mismatches. She can stretch the floor, attack off the dribble, and finish through contact-exactly the kind of versatility that gives defenses fits.
Will she match or top her career night? That remains to be seen. But given her current form and the matchup in front of her, Wallace is in prime position to lead the charge once again.
This game might not be close on the scoreboard, but for Illinois, it’s another opportunity to fine-tune their identity before the grind of conference play begins. The offense is humming, the defense is locked in, and players like Berry Wallace are stepping into stardom. If tonight plays out the way recent games have, the Illini will head into the Big Ten schedule with momentum-and a very real shot at making noise on the national stage.