Women’s Team

Catdude

Redshirt
Aug 27, 2001
1,001
28
48
The decline of the women’s basketball team is almost as rapid and severe as that of the football team. We won the Big 10 three seasons ago and might go winless this season. We did not capitalize or build on the success of the Pulliam and Burton years.

It’s been all downhill since blowing a 20+-point lead against Louisville in the 2nd Round of the 2021 tourney.
 

No Chores

Senior
Jul 2, 2006
6,710
498
83
The decline of the women’s basketball team is almost as rapid and severe as that of the football team. We won the Big 10 three seasons ago and might go winless this season. We did not capitalize or build on the success of the Pulliam and Burton years.

It’s been all downhill since blowing a 20+-point lead against Louisville in the 2nd Round of the 2021 tourney.
Yep. Today was particularly frustrating. Illinois was ranked number 21 coming in with only 4 losses. We had the lead for a while and cut it to one with 2 seconds left, but just couldn't get it done. Last 2 seasons led by Burton, the "Blizzard" defense was our calling card, and it's long gone.
 

SteelCityCat

Redshirt
Dec 3, 2021
45
13
8
The decline of the women’s basketball team is almost as rapid and severe as that of the football team. We won the Big 10 three seasons ago and might go winless this season. We did not capitalize or build on the success of the Pulliam and Burton years.

It’s been all downhill since blowing a 20+-point lead against Louisville in the 2nd Round of the 2021 tourney.
Last year was decent. They could have went to the NIT but decided not to. It's true that 0-9 in conf. Is pretty bad but the schedule has been brutal. Only unranked losses in conf have been Purdue (7th behind 6 ranked teams) and MSU. Only unranked loss out of conf was DePaul

Took Illinois to the wire today. Want to see what they do with the 2nd half of the conf slate before comparing them to the football debacle
 
Dec 24, 2010
3,099
102
63
I haven't seen the last couple of games, but I've been to most home games this year. My experience has been that their defense is terrible. Things will change, but this year Walsh cannot defend the post and the rest of the defense is constantly out of position with players missing their assignments routinely. I admit I haven't followed the women's game much, but comparatively they just look overmatched at most positions in conference.

I hope next year they try putting Walsh in a PF position out there with Mercy/Alana/Trumpy, whoever develops best, in at center. She can shoot from anywhere, and has a nice size advantage on most opponents away from the post.

They have a lot of size on the team and a ton of Sophomores. Lau, Brown, and Walsh seem like they have the highest ceiling, Daley brings a lot of energy, and Mott has looked better as the season progresses. Hopefully things will smooth out by the end of the season and they'll pick up some wins.

Maybe this just becomes a training/experience year for what looks like a pretty young team and they come out strong next year? Coach doesn't look like he has a lot of years left before he retires, but hopefully he sticks around a few more.