The Illini reenter Big Ten play with a trip to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on a competitive but vulnerable Boilermakers squad
The Illinois women’s basketball team put together a strong non-conference start, and now the Illini will try to carry that momentum straight into the grind of Big Ten play. Having dominated Indiana earlier this month in its conference opener, Illinois has already shown it can rise to the occasion when the lights get brighter.
Now fully immersed in league play, the Illini will find that the challenges only intensify. The Big Ten is home to some of the best teams in the country, making every matchup a measuring stick. Sunday's road clash at Purdue represents the next opportunity for coach Shauna Green’s young squad to continue building confidence and proving it belongs in the conversation among conference contenders.How to watch Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Purdue BoilermakersB1G+ (Annual pass: $89.99; Monthly pass: $12.99/month. Use code "BESTDEAL50" for 50 percent off an annual pass. To purchase a subscription, Illinois had the week off due to the Christmas break but enters the matchup in strong form after an 86-43 rout of Jackson State in its most recent outing. Purdue also faced Jackson State last weekend, pulling away for a 93-62 victory of its own.Purdue has endured a tough couple of seasons, but the program is off to a respectable start this year, even if that record came against a softer non-conference slate. There was one glaring hiccup along the way – a surprising loss to Purdue Fort Wayne, a branch campus of the main university. In Illinois terms, that would be like losing to UIC – not the strongest sign for the Boilermakers. First Boilermaker with 140 points and 75 rebounds in non-conference play since Ae'Rianna Harris in 2019-20 and the first guard since Katie Gearlds in 2006-07.Still, this is a Big Ten rivalry game on the road for Illinois, which means signs are purely decorative. Purdue doesn’t rely on a single scorer to carry the load, instead spreading scoring across a lineup in which three players average double figures. Junior guard Tara Daye leads the group at 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, giving the Boilermakers a steady presence in the backcourt. It's a potentially solid, competitive Purdue squad, but if the Illini play to their capabilities, they should take firm control early – and then maintain it throughout – even in the unfriendly confines of Mackey Arena.Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.How High Did Illinois Basketball Climb in ESPN's Latest Top 25 Rankings?
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
3 Powerball tickets sold in Illinois score $50k each, with hundreds others winning $100The smaller Illinois wins come after a single ticket sold at a gas station Arkansas won the full Christmas Eve Powerball jackpot
Read more »
How to watch Mississippi State women’s basketball vs. SamfordEverything to know as Mississippi State hosts Samford, including how to watch and what it means ahead of SEC play.
Read more »
How Illinois State and Montana State Built Championship FCS RostersWe do a deep dive into how Illinois State and Montana State built championship rosters at the FCS level, looking at transfer portal strategy, recruiting pipelines, and much more
Read more »
How to Watch No. 20 Illinois vs. Southern: TV, Tip-Off Time, MoreThe Illini (9-3) have an impressive collection of talent, but they need to show they won't waste it even in matchups like Monday's against the Jaguars (4-8)
Read more »
Man charged with battery after home invasion in Joliet, IllinoisA man was charged after a home invasion and attack in Joliet, Illinois.
Read more »
$400K of lobster hijacked enroute to Costco stores in Illinois, MinnesotaAuthorities are searching for a seafood bandit who allegedly impersonated a shipment driver and made away with $400,000 worth of lobster.
Read more »