This year’s Illinois team might be young, but don’t count them out just yet. The Illini are poised to make a late push this season, despite battling injuries for what feels like two straight years. With Gretchen Dolan sidelined for the past month, other key players have had to step up.
Currently riding a three-game win streak, the orange and blue face their two biggest games of the year this week. First, they head to Iowa City to face the No.
9 Iowa Hawkeyes, followed by a home showdown against No. 22 Minnesota.
While the Illini are projected to make the NCAA Tournament, it's still not a lock, and they've been playing like they know it. After a tough start to the year, Illinois found some rhythm against Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Northwestern.
Losing any of those could have put them on the bubble, but now they have a golden opportunity to prove themselves as one of the top teams in the Big Ten. A big part of their success?
Young players stepping up.
Destiny Jackson
Freshman Destiny Jackson, from Chicago, was the No. 1 recruit in Illinois for the 2025 class. She’s following in the footsteps of Ayo Dosunmu, staying close to home and possibly starting a new in-state pipeline to Champaign.
Jackson made history on Sunday in Evanston, becoming the program leader in assists for a freshman. As the primary ball handler, she’s been crucial for this young team.
Turnovers are often a problem for inexperienced players, but not for Jackson. She’s averaging nearly two and a half more assists than turnovers this season, showing major growth since the start.
With 142 assists, Jackson ranks ninth all-time in Illinois single-season assists and needs 32 more to top Michele Vossen’s record from 1983-84. Her performance in the last three games, with only three turnovers, has been vital to the team’s 79-point advantage over opponents.
Cearah Parchment
Like Jackson, Cearah Parchment is only a freshman, but she plays beyond her years. The 6-foot-3 forward leads the Big Ten in double-doubles with 11. Initially, there were concerns about the Illini’s front-court height, but Parchment has silenced those doubts.
In the past three games, she’s been on fire, recording double-doubles in each. With standout performances like 20 points against Rutgers and 15 rebounds against Wisconsin, she’s peaking at just the right time.
Parchment’s impact goes beyond stats. She’s a force on the floor, diving for loose balls and nabbing steals with surprising frequency. Her chemistry with Jackson and Berry Wallace is growing, and if this core stays together, they could be a formidable force in the Big Ten next year.
Berry Wallace
While Berry Wallace might not feel like a young player, she’s still only a sophomore. After losing major minutes from last year’s team, Wallace and Dolan were the key returnees. It’s no surprise to Illini fans that Wallace has become the team’s vocal leader, averaging 18.8 points per game with elite shooting.
Wallace carries a heavy workload, leading the team in minutes and rarely leaving the court. She exemplifies the current college basketball landscape: developed early and taking charge later. Her decision to stay, rather than enter the transfer portal, has been crucial for the Illini, allowing Jackson and Parchment to shine.
It’s Crunch Time
The Illini are currently projected as an eight seed in ESPN’s latest bracketology. Wins against the Hawkeyes and Gophers, along with a strong Big Ten Tournament showing, could boost them to a five, six, or seven seed.
For the Illini to improve their seeding, Jackson must command the offense, Parchment needs to dominate the boards, and Wallace must continue to lead. While March typically highlights experience, the Illini’s youthful energy could be their secret weapon.
The final two games of the regular season will be telling, but with a three-game win streak, the Illini have a prime opportunity to impress the selection committee. All eyes will be on them Thursday as they head into a challenging environment against the Hawkeyes.