Illinois basketball is so close to starting, and the women’s program is poised for another big year.
On the heels of a 21-win regular season, the Illini return nearly all of their production from that triumphant campaign. Led by head coach Shauna Green, Illinois looks to have another big year, as the program is already getting some preseason recognition.
The Big Ten released its preseason awards on Wednesday afternoon. Included in this were the top five teams in the conference, according to the Big Ten coaches. No. 1 is Iowa, of course. They have Catilin Clark and all she brings to the court.
Following Iowa are the traditional Big Ten powers, Ohio State, Indiana, and Maryland, in that order. The No. 5 team?
Illinois.
The Illini check in as the preseason No. 5 team in the Big Ten. This is about where the program finished last season, as we were in a tie for the fifth-best record but finished sixth in the conference due to the tie-breaker with Michigan. The Wolverines take the No. 5 spot in the Big Ten preseason rankings by the media.
The women’s Illinois basketball team has a preseason All-Big Ten player as well
Coming into the 2023-24 campaign, it is widely known that Clark isn’t just one of the best players in the conference, but she is one of the best players in the country. Iowa has a superstar on their hands. But Illinois also has a player who can light up the scoreboard.
The preseason All-Big Ten team by the coaches and media was released on Wednesday as well. Making the coveted team is Illinois guard, Makira Cook.
Cook was sensational for the Illini last season. After transferring in from Dayton, Cook had the best year of her career, averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. I look for Cook to have another big year for the Orange and Blue.
I do believe Illinois had a player robbed of being on the preseason All-Big Ten team, though. To not include Kendall Bostic on this list should be a crime.
Bostic averaged nearly a double-double last season, putting up 10.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. She led the entire Big Ten with 9.8 rebounds, and she was third in the Big Ten with 1.6 blocks per game.
When Bostic is on her game, the Illini are nearly unbeatable. She is the centerpiece for everything Illinois does on the court. The fact she was left off the preseason All-Big Ten list is a travesty.