Green Street May we have a word?
· Yahoo Sports
Sep. 28—Illinois women's basketball team coach will be a guest of ours this evening during 'The News-Gazette Sports Page' radio show. It airs from 5-6 p.m. on WDWS 1400-AM and 93.9-FM and is broadcast live at the Esquire in downtown Champaign.
That the Illini have officially started preseason practices and are working toward a Nov. 4 season opener against Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center in Champaign makes this a perfect opportunity to discuss Green's latest team ahead of a highly-anticipated 2026-27 season.
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Here are five pressing questions that I am interesting in hearing Green answer — plus the reasoning behind each one.
The fact Illinois will play just two games against major-conference opponents is noteworthy. It probably wasn't exactly what Green envisioned with so much talent coming back and legitimately high expectations in place for this team. Sure, there's always a balance to strike with how tough the Big Ten will be this upcoming season. But having one or two more high-major games on the pre-Big Ten schedule is likely more in line with what Green wanted.
The versatility of the roster could mean the Illini have the ability to start several different combinations during the 2026-27 season. Four of the five spots are set with at point guard and at shooting guard and and in the frontcourt. That fifth and final spot is the real question. It's clear Illinois likes what brings as a defensive presence. But the Illini could also opt to go big with or at center. Or play another guard in , or Brown-Hagger. In other words, they have options (which is a really good thing).
Illinois associate head coach hinted at how the final few weeks of summer practices were "a lot of fun" as Dolan started to get back to her pre-injury form after the 5-foot-11 redshirt junior guard underwent surgery on Feb. 23 to repair a torn meniscus in her right knee. The Illini could really use a full season with Dolan on the court to reach its own ceiling as a team. But that has been a struggle with Dolan missing a combined 40 games the last two season due to injury.
This will be the first season since the NCAA made the move in the offseason to go from 68 to 76 teams in the NCAA tournament. Green is seeking three straight NCAA tournament appearances. It's become expectation in Champaign with Illinois having made the field in three of Green's first four seasons as coach. Green has been vocal about whether the NCAA should consider going with neutral sites on the women's side for the first- and second-round games. That it could create more excitement — and more upsets in the first few rounds.
The idea of having a Big Ten non-compete clause in her previous deal was a significant statement of intent from Green. That the Illini coach, who is now entering her fifth season, feels this program can achieve big things. Green has already made clear the lofty aspirations she has for Illinois women's basketball with the hope to one day lead the Illini to a Big Ten title — and more. Getting to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament is one of the next steps in that upward trajectory for the program, as Illinois has only been to the Sweet 16 twice (1997, 1998) in its history and never further.