For just the fifth time in program history, Illinois women’s basketball will begin its season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
The Illini come into the 2026-27 season ranked No. 23 in the AP preseason poll, giving Illinois its second preseason ranking under head coach Shauna Green.
The Illini also opened at No. 23 in 2023-24, marking the program’s first appearance in the preseason poll since 1999-2000.
Before Green arrived in Champaign, Illinois had been ranked in the preseason poll just three times. The Illini opened at No. 7 in 1997-98, No. 25 in 1998-99 and No. 12 in 1999-2000, all under former head coach Theresa Grentz.
Green is now accredited for two of the program’s five preseason rankings.
Illinois enters the 2026-27 season with high expectations after finishing 22-12 last year and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
They return nearly their entire rotation, including junior forward Berry Wallace, who averaged 18.4 points per game last season and was recently selected to the Preseason All-Big Ten team by both the conference’s coaches and media.
Illinois also returns guards Jasmine Brown-Hagger, Destiny Jackson, Gretchen Dolan and Maddie Webber, along with sophomore forward Cearah Parchment.
The Illini have appeared in the AP rankings at some point during each season of Green’s tenure. Illinois reached as high as No. 21 in January 2023, their best ranking under Green.
Illinois was not ranked in either of the previous two preseason polls, while eventually reaching No. 22 during the 2024-25 campaign and No. 25 last January.
The Illini are also one of nine Big Ten teams included in the preseason Top 25, the most of any conference.
Illinois’ season begins with an exhibition against UIS on Oct. 30 before regular-season play starts on Nov. 4 against Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center.