CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois basketball is hosting Lewis University tonight at the State Farm Center. Illinois is expected to be a heavy favorite, but the team has their eye on the regular season opener on November 7 against the 19th-ranked Seminoles. Illini head coach Shauna Green talked about how she has a talented starting five this year, but her bench is deep as well. “We have more depth at guard this year, and I’m not used to that. I can’t take some of my starters off the floor to let them rest, and that is new this year.”
Senior Genesis Bryant is on the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award preseason watch list. She says she doesn’t regret transferring to Illinois and has loved the good – and the hard – aspect of working hard under head coach Green. “Some of the late nights – followed by tears – have been hard, but it’s been worth it.”
Friday night’s exhibition game is the team’s only one, and Green will have a lot of questions answered with how the team will be ready for the full season.