Illini women’s basketball focused on practice development with high expectations

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- After making the NCAA Tournament three out of the last four years and a ton of production returning from last season, expectations continue to rise for Illinois women's basketball.

Illinois is also getting national attention, including ranking 20th in ESPN's 2026-27 preseason Top 25 rankings.

The Illini are focused on development and embracing the standards Green sets for the team each day.

"We're talking at a high level," Green said. "We're playing with great passion and joy, and we're playing very disciplined." "That's what we're striving for day in and day out."

"She never wavers from the standard that she sets for us, and we all just try to rise to the occasion every single practice because we know she's not budging," freshman guard Destiny Jackson said.

"I think we all come in knowing how good of a team we are, and people are talking about the number that might be next to our name, but she keeps us humble and keeps us pushing to be our best selves, and she's never satisfied, and that's so important," senior guard Maddie Webber said.

Green also wants her staff to have prominent voices at practice, according to assistant coach Calamity McEntire.

"Coach Green gives us a voice on the court as assistants and wants us to really support and help the players as much as possible during practice, and so every single day, if we're going to ask them to bring that energy, we've got to also."

Illinois opens the season with an exhibition against Illinois-Springfield on October 30 at home, and the regular season opener is against Detroit Mercy on November 4 at State Farm Center.