The women's Illinois basketball team has had a woeful last couple of games, losing to Michigan State and Ohio State by a combined 159-144.
The 13-3 Illini are feeling every bit of their gauntlet of games to start conference play. They had their 11-game winning streak snapped against the Spartans in East Lansing. Then they were witnesses to a 41-point masterpiece by Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge at the State Farm Center.
This team is in desperate need of a win at this point in the season. They need a get-right game of sorts, especially with the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines on the horizon. But what are some key questions that we should be asking prior to tip-off?
Can the Illini lock in after experiencing two soul-crushing losses?
On paper, Illinois should be able to beat Penn State. The 7-9 Nittany Lions have been struggling all season long and are bringing a five-game losing streak of their own into the clash. Not only that, but their scoring margin of -4.8 is also one of the worst in the Big Ten, as they've only scored 75.4 points per game compared to their opponents' 80.2.
The problem, though, is can Illinois get back to their winning ways, play their game, and not overlook a lesser team like Penn State? Can they put their last two losses behind them, not think about Michigan on the 15th, and focus on the task at hand?
It's a situation that any team can fall into to the point where it can be considered a borderline trap-game of sorts. But with excellent coaching from Shauna Green and her staff, I would be surprised if the Illini aren't locked in for this game. Expect them to take care of business at the Bryce Jordan Center, and move on to the next one.
How will Illinois' front court fare against Penn State's Gracie Merkle?
This may sound repetitive, but Cearah Parchment and Berry Wallace are one of the best frontcourts in the country right now. They have been absolutely dynamic all season long, averaging 29.8 points per game as a duo.
But today, Parchment and Wallace will have another monumental test as they face off against Penn State's junior center Gracie Merkle. Merkle, who's started all but three games for Penn State, has been one of the two main cogs of the Nittany Lions. The 6-foot-6 phenom has been averaging 18.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, which put her in second and first on her team, respectively.
Merkle is going to have a major size advantage against Illinois' young frontcourt and has been dominating opposing bigs all season long. She will certainly be a cause for concern in today's match-up, as I would expect her to be double-teamed a lot under the basket.