In opener, Illini can't regain bragging rights
CHAMPAIGN – If there's such a thing as central Illinois pride when it comes to women's college basketball, the folks in Normal are beaming today.
Illinois State posted its second straight victory against Illinois with a 69-62 season-opening win at the Assembly Hall on Friday, a sort of statement game that might mean more to the Redbirds than the Illini.
"This isn't an upset for us," Illinois State's Hannah Spanich said. "We came in prepared, and we expected to win. We don't play like a little midmajor school."
But one thing's certain: This is not the way the Illini hoped to open the season. Bent on getting revenge for last March's narrow loss to the Redbirds in the WNIT quarterfinals, the Illini offense was bad early and the defense didn't do much to pick up the slack.
Illinois State shot 46 percent and put four players in double figures – led by Shala Jackson's 16 – in coach Stephanie Glance's debut.
Illinois, playing its first game without longtime standouts Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson, had more turnovers than field goals for most of the game. Karisma Penn scored 18 points, all in the second half, to go with 11 rebounds. Amber Moore had 15 points, all on three-pointers in the first half. Lydia McCully chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.
"They played like they wanted it," Illini coach Jolette Law said of the Redbirds. "They looked to attack. They got to the line 30 times and dictated on defense. They sat in a zone and dared us to beat them from the outside."
The Illini never got closer than five points in the game's final 15 minutes. The Redbirds consistently beat UI defenders off the dribble, part of the reason ISU attempted those 30 free throws, sinking 20.
Law said Friday's trouble spots were things that can be ironed out quickly.
"I didn't expect us to come out timid, unsure," she said. "But I'm glad it's happening now (rather than later). It's the little things we need to work on, and I'm positive it will change. It comes down to helping each other on defense, seeing the ball, communicating. We'll work on it every day, and I'm sure we'll get better on it."
The Illini visit South Carolina on Monday, continuing a busy stretch in which they'll play seven games in 17 days. During that time, Law indicated she'll work on finding on-floor leadership.
"We're still trying to establish some leaders, someone to have a voice," Law said. "Not the same person all the time, but someone to pull them together. I can't call timeouts all the time. I need one or two people to say, 'Calm down, we've got it.' "
Is this an old quote from Law? she says the same thing all the time. At what point does she take ownership for not instilling the necessary values in the team. Glance didnt seem to have any trouble picking up where Pingeton left off. Sure losing Simpson and Smith hurts but is ISU more talented than IL or did Glance outcoach Law? Seems the Illini are overmatched more on the sidelines than on the court. The last three years have been less than impressive, and this is not the way to start a new season. I wonder what the administration has to be thinking.
Wenalway, I have been very very close to the UI womens program dating back to the last few years of the Grentz era, and am still avidly interested in the success of the program, I just dont see any changes under Law and feel like she has the same answers to the same questions since 2007. When will this program stop underachieving? Not to say that there is a wealth of talent in the stable right now, but wasn't that why Law was brought in in the first place, because she is a "top flight" recruiter? The class that ranked top 3 is a shell of itself, the off the court issues seem to be getting worse each year and aere always covered up with the classic "violated team rules" line, and then incoming class is less than impressive on paper. My issue is that if Law cant win with recruits that are impressive on paper, how can anyone believe that she will be able to win with less than capable talent. I just dont see a program in flux getting any better and am tired of hearing the same old retreaded Stringer rhetoric from Law. Something needs to change.
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