The Illinois women’s basketball team didn’t just cruise into the holiday break-they stormed in with authority. Winners of nine straight to close out their non-conference slate, the Illini have looked every bit the part of a team on the rise.
Their most recent outing? An 86-43 dismantling of Jackson State that capped off a dominant December.
Under head coach Shauna Green, Illinois has transformed into one of the most balanced squads in the country, currently ranked in the top 50 nationally on both ends of the floor. That’s no small feat, especially considering where this program was not long ago.
But now, the real test begins. The Illini are about to enter the teeth of their schedule, facing a five-game stretch loaded with Quad 1 opponents-including three ranked teams.
It all starts Sunday against Purdue. And with that, here are three key questions facing Illinois as they head into Big Ten play:
1. Can Illinois’ high-powered offense hold up against stiffer defensive competition?
Let’s not sugarcoat it-Illinois has been lighting up the scoreboard. This team can score in bunches, and they’ve been doing it with style.
Berry Wallace and Gretchen Dolan are leading the charge, averaging 17.3 and 14.6 points per game, respectively. That duo has been a nightmare for opposing defenses, and the Illini as a whole have been winning by an average margin of 25.5 points.
But here’s the caveat: much of that offensive explosion came against a softer non-conference schedule. Wins over teams like Le Moyne and Bellarmine helped build confidence, but they didn’t exactly test the Illini in the way Big Ten play will.
Purdue, despite an 8-4 record, brings a more disciplined defense to the table. The Boilermakers are allowing just 62.4 points per game-solid numbers that suggest this won't be a walk in the park for Illinois. This matchup will be the first real opportunity to see how the Illini offense responds when the lanes tighten, the shots are contested, and the margin for error shrinks.
Expect Illinois to still find ways to score, but don’t be surprised if they take a few punches early. This is where we’ll learn how battle-tested this team really is.
2. Can Illinois’ defense clamp down on Purdue’s undersized but dangerous backcourt?
Purdue’s scoring attack leans heavily on its guards. Tara Daye (12.5 PPG), Kiki Smith (12.2 PPG), and Hila Karsh (10.4 PPG) are the only Boilermakers averaging double figures, and all three do their damage from the perimeter. That trio gives Purdue a versatile backcourt capable of creating offense in a variety of ways.
But they’re about to run into a defensive unit that thrives on length and physicality. Illinois has size, especially up front, and they use it well.
Berry Wallace isn’t just an offensive weapon-she’s a force on the defensive end too. Add in Cearah Parchment, and the Illini have a frontcourt that can make life miserable for smaller guards trying to get into the paint.
If Purdue wants to generate offense, they’ll likely have to do it from the outside. Penetrating the lane against Illinois’ interior defense is going to be a tall order. That puts a lot of pressure on Purdue’s shooters to be efficient, and on their bigs to contribute in ways they haven’t consistently this season.
Illinois doesn’t need to completely shut down Purdue’s guards-but if they can limit penetration and force tough looks, they’ll be in a strong position to control the game.
3. How will Illinois handle Purdue’s three-point shooting?
Here’s where things get interesting. Purdue might struggle to score inside, but they’ve been lethal from beyond the arc.
As a team, they’re hitting 36.3% from deep, good for 36th in the nation. That kind of efficiency can be a great equalizer, especially against a team that defends the interior as well as Illinois does.
But Illinois has been no slouch when it comes to defending the three-point line. Opponents are shooting just 26.7% from deep against them this season, which ranks 50th nationally. That’s a significant edge, and it’s not just about percentages-it’s about how Illinois closes out on shooters, rotates on the perimeter, and communicates defensively.
Now, it’s fair to wonder how much of that defensive success is a product of Illinois’ non-conference schedule. But even if the numbers are slightly inflated, the Illini have shown the ability to contest shots and make life difficult for perimeter scorers.
This matchup could come down to who wins the battle from deep. If Purdue gets hot from beyond the arc, they can stretch Illinois’ defense and open up driving lanes. But if the Illini continue to guard the three-point line the way they have, it could be a long afternoon for the Boilermakers.
Bottom line: Illinois has passed every test so far, but the real exam begins now. The next five games will reveal whether this team is simply a feel-good story or a legitimate Big Ten contender. Sunday at Purdue is the first chapter in that story-and it’s one worth watching closely.