No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball at Illinois preview

Last season, then-No. 14 Maryland women’s basketball hosted Illinois for its Senior Day.

Down by one with under two seconds remaining, Shyanne Sellers had a chance to win the game with a midrange jumper. But it didn’t fall, and The Terps were upset by the unranked Illini.

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On Thursday, Maryland will look to avenge that loss in Champaign in what will be its first game of 2026. The New Year’s Day showdown will tip off at 4 p.m. and be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

“It will definitely be a different game,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “You’re going on the road against a team that beat us at home last year. It’s going to definitely be a battle.”

Illinois Fighting Illini (12-1, 2-0 Big Ten)

2024-25 record: 22-10, 11-7 Big Ten

Head coach Shauna Green is in her fourth season with the Illini and has led them to two NCAA tournaments and a WBIT championship. Illinois is on track for its best season under Green — who has an overall 75-36 record with the program — this year.

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Illinois suffered its only loss at Oregon State and is 9-0 at home in 2025-26. The Illini have dominated their two Big Ten opponents thus far, defeating both Indiana and Purdue by double digits.

“It’s continuing to do what we do best, but then also through scouting, trying to take away some of their strengths,” Frese said.

Players to watch

Berry Wallace, sophomore forward, 6-foot-1, No. 23 — Wallace was a top-20 recruit out of high school and has taken a major jump in her sophomore season. This season, she leads the Illini with 17.6 points per game — ninth-most in the Big Ten. She also averages 7.2 rebounds per game. As a freshman, she averaged nine points and 3.1 rebounds.

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Cearah Parchment, freshman forward, 6-foot-3, No. 30 — Parchment has had a huge impact for the Illini in her freshman season, leading Illinois with 7.9 rebounds per game. The Canadian forward is the third-highest freshman scorer in the Big Ten, averaging 11.1 points per game —…

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Publish date : 2025-12-31 11:45:00

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