Green Optimistic About New-Look Illini Despite Uncertainty
CHAMPAIGN — With a drastically different roster ahead of the upcoming season, Illinois women’s basketball coach Shauna Green remains optimistic about the team’s potential—even if it brings a level of unpredictability unlike anything she’s experienced before.
The Illini are undergoing a major transition, losing four starters from last season’s NCAA Tournament squad. To prepare, Green and her staff have spent the past week visiting WNBA practices across the Midwest, searching for ideas to shape their evolving roster. While the core principles of their system remain intact, the offseason presents a valuable opportunity to experiment with new approaches.
Over the last two seasons, Illinois benefited from stability and continuity, though the roster was limited in height, depth, and flexibility—challenges that were amplified by injuries. This year’s team is much different: younger, taller, and more versatile. Returners like Berry Wallace, Jasmine Brown-Hagger, and Gretchen Dolan offer flexibility across multiple positions. Newcomers such as freshman Erica Finney, Villanova transfer Maddie Webber, and Iowa transfer Aaliyah Guyton add more depth and options across the court.
Green acknowledges the uncertainty. “This is probably the most unknown I’ve faced,” she said. “I’ve never had this many new players, but I’ve also never had this many that I’m this excited about. It could be our most talented roster yet.” The real challenge, she added, is turning that talent into a cohesive team: “How do we build them as players and as a team—not just individuals?”
Despite the questions, Green is energized by the possibilities. The blend of new talent and strategic flexibility gives the Illini a chance to reshape their identity and take a meaningful step forward as a program.
