On Sunday afternoon, the women’s Illinois basketball team continued their winning ways by going on the road and taking down the Northwestern Wildcats.
This season, the Illini have done something that this fanbase isn’t used to. They are winning. After the victory over Northwestern, Illinois sits at 16-4 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten. Instead of the usual place at the bottom of the conference, the Illini find themselves in sixth place and looking to move up into the top four to earn that coveted double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
There are quite a few reasons for the drastic change in the Illinois basketball program. A new head coach in Shauna Green helped immensely. She also brought in some talented transfers. But I would argue that the most impressive improvement for the Illini has come in the form of Kendall Bostic.
Kendall Bostic has elevated the Illinois basketball team to another level.
Bostic was a great going-away present left by the former coaching staff at Illinois. She would transfer in from Michigan State after the 2020-21 campaign and would start all 27 games for the Illini in year one. During her first season in Champaign, Bostic would end up averaging 6.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.7 blocks per contest.
However, Illinois would only win seven games in Bostic’s first season with the program. A massive coaching overhaul would transpire, and in steps Green to take the reins.
Bostic had two directions she could have taken after the coaching change. She could have bolted the program because there was a new coach in town. That new coach also brought in some new talent from different programs. This could have rubbed Bostic the wrong way, and she could have ultimately left to look for a new home.
Did Bostic do any of that? No, instead of bailing on the new coach and struggling program, Bostic transitioned into more of a leader on the court. She improved her game tremendously and is now the engine that makes Illinois run.
.@kendallbostic22 now has another career double-double with over a quarter left to play in Evanston!#Illini | #HTTO | #OneWay pic.twitter.com/6EtjhKaM9U
— Illinois Women's Basketball (@IlliniWBB) January 22, 2023
Green is actually playing Bostic nearly a minute less per game this season, but the talented center has improved her numbers. She went from 6.7 points per game last season to 10.5 points per game. That increase in scoring is due to being more efficient on the offensive end of the court. Bostic shot 49.4% from the field during the 2021-22 campaign and is now shooting 66.4% this season.
The touch Bostic has around the hoop is phenomenal, but I think her defense is even better. Bostic is always there to disrupt her opponent when teams try to take the ball inside. Just her presence alone makes Illinois’ defense better. She also went from averaging 0.7 blocks per game last season to 1.8 blocks per game this year.
While the numbers tell a story, they don’t tell the entire story. I ask you, when the Big Ten Network actually airs the games on national television, to watch this Illinois team play. Bostic is averaging a double-double this season, but she is far more important than that. She is getting a touch every time down the court. The offense and defense go through her. Bostic is a rock for Illinois’ success.