Projected finish: 13th
Key returners:
G- Brandi Beasley: 5’6, JR 13.0 PPG, 37% FG, 7 blocks, 32.5 MPG
F- Alex Wittinger, 6’1 SR 15.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG
Newcomers:
F- McKenzie Blazek 6’3 (Franklin, Indiana) (no. 81 on ESPN’s HoopGurlz)
G- J-Naya Ephraim 5’9 (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands), Fr
G- Arieal Scott, 5’9 (Urbana, Illinois), Fr
G – Carolyn Waleski 5’10, (Frankfort, Illinois), Fr
Key non-conference games:
11/14: Valparaiso
11/28: @ Clemson
12/21: Missouri
Head Coach: Nancy Fahey- 2nd season
Nancy Fahey coached for 31 years at Washington University in St. Louis, where she guided the Bears to an NCAA record five Division III National Championships. In her first season at Illinois, Fahey coached the Orange and Blue to a 9-5 non-conference record, which marked the best start to the season since Illinois also earned nine non-conference victories in the 2014-15 campaign (9-3).
Outlook:
Illinois is probably the team some are keeping an eye on just on the presence of Fahey alone. When you have a legend of the D-III head to D-I, people are interested and intrigued in how she will do in the B1G. Throwing last year away, Illinois can make some noise this year and it is on the shoulders of Brandi Beasley. Beasley averages 13.0 PPG and has been the face of Illinois basketball since her freshman year.
Beasley will have some help from Mckenzie Blazek. The 6’3 forward ranked on the ESPN Hoopgurlz list can create some offense that might have the team run offense through her. She is a bully in the paint and that is something that is needed for this team.
Best case scenario: Brandi Beasley and McKenzie Blazek brings new energy energy to the team and the players can rally around them.
Worst case scenario: The youth of the team will prove to be too much, take a lot out of Brandi and the team will be in the same place as last year.