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Key questions for the Illinois basketball team against Jackson State

The Illini will wrap up their non-conference schedule today against the Jackson State Lady Tigers at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
ByKellen Sherman|
Feb 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green during the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green during the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The women's Illinois basketball team has been extremely dominant during non-conference play this season, finishing 10-1 in their first 11 games of the year.

They have been putting on an absolute clinic, taking down the opposition by an average of 23.1 points per game. The Illini are currently ranked top 50 in the nation in both offense and defense, and will look to continue their success today against the visiting Jackson State Lady Tigers.

Jackson State, a 2-7 program out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, has been having a rough year, to say the least. They have lost to every major program they've faced, with their worst being a 103-61 throttling against Coastal Carolina.

This game will surely end up being a one-sided affair just like Illinois' last few match-ups. But what are some key questions that we should be looking out for in today's non-conference finale for the Illini?

How electric will Illinois' offense be this evening?

The Illini have one of the most well-built rosters in the entire country. Every member of this team has the ability to take over a game at any given time, which has led to them being ranked No. 29 in the country with 80.4 points.

Jackson State, on the other hand, has not seen results that are anywhere close to the Illini's. The Lady Tigers, led by head coach Margaret Richards, are ranked No. 291 in the country in points allowed at 70.1. They have not found any answers when it comes to stopping the power-four schools from running up the score on them.

Their defense is just in shambles, and it will continue to be that way tonight in Champaign. Illinois' offense is too elite and well-coached, to the point where I can easily see Berry Wallace and Co. recording 85+ points this evening.

Simply put; this is going to be rough to watch by the second quarter.

Can Berry Wallace have a repeat performance in Champaign?

Berry Wallace has been the top offensive weapon for the Illini this season. The Pickerington, Ohio, product is currently top 60 in the country when it comes to scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game through 11 games played.

She has been a superstar and is coming off her best performance this past Sunday when Wallace recorded 28 points and nine rebounds in 39 minutes of work.

Wallace will be facing off against a Jackson State front court that's given up 15+ points to opposing forwards in each of their last two games. Does this mean that Wallace will have another career game? Not necessarily, but for a five-star recruit who has the ability to stretch the floor as she does, don't be surprised if she leads the team again in scoring in Champaign.

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