3 Big Ten conference games to keep an eye on for Illinois basketball in 2026-27

The 2026-27 season is around the corner, which means the women's Illinois basketball program is gearing up to make another run for March.

The Illini are retaining over 90% of their roster from a year ago, including Berry Wallace and Destiny Jackson. They will look to build on an impressive 2025-26 campaign, in which they finished with a 22-12 record and a No. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Illinois has a lot to play for this season, especially after being named to the way-too-early top 25 rankings. Before they get to March, the Illini will need to get through this Big Ten conference schedule.

The Illini were in the middle of the pack last season when it came to conference play, finishing No. 9 in the Big Ten with a 9-9 record. Their season was highlighted by wins against No. 7 Maryland on January 1 and No. 25 Washington on February 1.

There will be plenty of interesting matchups to look forward to this season, and this team has the firepower to make a lot of noise in the Big Ten. Based on last season, there are three specific rematches that fans should be keeping an eye on in 2026-27.

Illinois needs to limit Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge after 41-point explosion last season

As a basketball fan, it is criminal to see so many analysts not list Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge as a top-10 player in the country, especially after averaging 23.2 points per game last season. She was sensational in 2025-26, scoring a season-high 41 points in a win against Illinois on January 7.

This season, with the Illini at full strength, they will need to key in on Cambridge even more during their rematch in Columbus. She has more than enough talent to take over a game, as her ability to score at all three levels makes her a major threat to opposing defenses.

Illinois will have one less scorer to deal with, as Ohio State's second-leading scorer, Chance Gray, exhausted all of her eligibility. Cambridge is still the leader of the Buckeyes, and it will be interesting to see Shauna Green's game plan to contain her.

UCLA became the gold standard last season, but will have a new look in 2026

Last season, UCLA was on top of the world, winning the women's NCAA championship with the help of stars Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice. But now, the six top scorers from their championship team are gone, and coach Cori Close will need to create that magic again with a new group of talent.

The Bruins had a successful rebuild this offseason, signing five transfers to help fill the voids left by last year's departures. The additions include former Notre Dame guard K.K. Bransford and former Iowa State forward Addy Brown.

This will not be a walk in the park for the Illini, as they will be dealing with the championship pedigree that UCLA carries with them. Illinois is another year older and another year wiser, and with the continuity of their team still intact, there is a chance they can find great success in Los Angeles.

A revenge game against Michigan at the State Farm Center sounds like a beautiful time

The Michigan Wolverines were one of the strongest teams in the country last season, finishing the regular season ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll with a 28-7 record. They were poised to make a deep run in March, but lost 77-41 to Texas in the Elite Eight.

Illinois struggled against the Wolverines last season, losing 85-69 in Ann Arbor. Wallace and Jasmine Brown-Hagger were the only two Illini to score in double figures, combining for 42 of the team's 69 points.

This should not happen again come January, as Illinois has too many capable scorers to be held to only 69 points. Cearah Parchment and Jackson being held to nine total points was an abnormality, and transfer Divine Bourrage should add a significant spark to their offense.

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