League: NCAAW Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Breaking News

Illinois women's basketball emphasizes speed for upcoming season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 5:51 PM

Last updated Aug 10, 2026

College Sports

Summary

Illinois women's basketball is focusing on playing faster in the upcoming 2026-27 season under coach Shauna Green. The team, which includes several former five-star recruits, is working to implement a quicker offensive style known as Phoenix transition offense. Associate head coach Calamity McEntire noted the importance of defensive stops and rebounding to facilitate early offensive opportunities. Players like Berry Wallace and Cearah Parchment expressed excitement about the changes, stating that a faster pace could lead to easier scoring chances and overall improvement in their play. Illinois aims to build on last season's success, where they ranked ninth in scoring in the Big Ten.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Illinois aims for a faster playing style this season.
•The roster includes three former five-star recruits.
•Players are adapting to a new offensive strategy.
•Defense will be crucial for transition scoring opportunities.
•Team chemistry is expected to improve with returning players.

Latest Updates

5:51 PMYahoo Sports — Illini trying to run more in Phoenix offense: 'It's going to be a lot of fun'

What they're saying

"
Aug. 10—CHAMPAIGN — The vision for how Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green wanted to build her roster was clear. This latest iteration of the Illini — which has taken shape the last three offseasons — has not just been about stacking and retaining talent (with three former five-star recruits on the roster) but bringing in players that can play multiple positions on the court. And ...
— Yahoo Sports

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