NORMAL, Ill. – For the first time since 2016, Big Ten's Wisconsin will make the trip to Normal, Illinois and face off with Illinois State women's basketball. The Redbirds (2-0, 0-0 MVC) and Badgers (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) get things rolling Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. CT inside CEFCU Arena – Home of the Redbirds.
The first 500 fans inside CEFCU will receive their very own WHITE OUT t-shirt. Fans can also bring a non-perishable/canned food item and receive a $5 general admission ticket for each item donated. (Ex: bring two cans of chicken noodle soup; receive two general admission tickets at $5 each).
All donated and collected items will be given to the School Street Food Pantry. For a list of suggested items, click here. For fans who cannot attend the game in person, the game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Scott Sudikoff and Sean Johnson on the call.
GAME INFORMATION (Game Notes (PDF))
Illinois State v. Wisconsin
When: Sunday, Nov. 20
Tip-off: 2:00 p.m. CT
Location: Normal, Ill.
Facility: CEFCU Arena – Home of the Redbirds
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast Live Stats
Radio: Illinois State Radio Network WJBC 102.7 FM & 1230 AM
LAST TIME OUT
After a very slow start in the 2022-23 home opener, Illinois State women's basketball responded with a resounding second half last Tuesday evening as they defeated the St. Thomas Tommies 71-56 inside CEFCU Arena – Home of the Redbirds. (full recap).
Graduate student Paige Robinson was a major focal point to Illinois State's success on Tuesday as the Bethany, Ill. native finished with a game-high 23 points while contributing four assists and two blocks on the night as well. Robinson was joined in double figures by senior DeAnna Wilson who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double double this season.
The win was ISU's second consecutive win over the Tommies after winning the series' inaugural meeting last year on the road. Prior to tipoff, the 2021-22 Missouri Valley Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance banners were raised.
However, once the ball was tipped, it was a very sluggish start for Kristen Gillespie's group as they would host a four-point lead halfway through the first before St. Thomas stormed back and would outscore the 'Birds 16-4 to hold an eight-point lead after one.
Meanwhile, in the second half, ISU's defense would hold St. Thomas to 24 points all half, outscoring the Tommies 40-24 to take a 15-point win.
For St. Thomas, Sammy Opichka stepped up huge as she led the Tommies in scoring with 20. Jade Hill was held to 12 points as she and Jordyn Lamker (10 points) joined Opichka in double digits.
SCOUTING THE BADGERS
Wisconsin is under the direction of second year head coach Marisa Moseley. In her first season on the UW bench, Moseley led the Badgers to five Big Ten Conference wins, the program's most since the 2014-15 season.
Meanwhile, Moseley's resume also boasts her time as an assistant for the UConn Huskies, where she was part of five NCAA title wins, as well as a coach of three National Players of the Year and 11 All-Americans. During her time with UConn, Moseley was part of a program who went 331-14, including win streaks of 111 and 90 games.
The Badgers are led in scoring by Maty Wilke, who averages 15.3 points/game. Wilke is joined in double digit averages by freshman Serah Williams (13.8) and Julie Pospisilova (12.5). Williams also has made her mark defensively, as she averages 6.0 blocks and 6.0 rebounds a game as well.
Wisconsin was last in action on Wednesday against fellow MVC member, Bradley. The Badgers were no match for the Braves as they defended home court in a record-breaking 103-49 victory. Through four games this season, Wisconsin has outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 301-229 and allows only 57.3 opponent points per game.
SERIES HISTORY
The Redbirds lead the all-time series with Wisconsin 10-8, as the Badgers have won three consecutive meetings in the series. When hosting Wisconsin, Illinois State has gone 5-3 all-time with their last home win in the series coming during the 1985-86 season in OT (64-57).
The last time these two programs met came last season in a 70-60 win for the Badgers. After jumping out to a 16-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, Wisconsin did not slow down as the gap grew to as many as 17 before ISU went a 7-0 run to end the game with its final 10-point differential.
The Redbirds saw JuJu Redmond and DeAnna Wilson both finish with a team-best 16 points on the night as Wilson would be one rebound away from her third double-double, with a game-high nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin was led by Julie Pospisilova and Katie Nelson who combined for 34 points.
GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
On August 20, 2022, Illinois State women's basketball lost one of their own as former standout Simone Goods lost a courageous battle with cancer. Goods finished her time as a Redbird with 2019 All-MVC First Team honors as well as finishing in the program's top-25 for field goals made in a season (190), rebounds in a season (238), career free-throws (227), career blocks (51) and blocks in a season (33).
This season, ISU players and staff will don an "SG" patch on their jerseys and gameday attire to honor the life and legacy of Simone Goods as ISU is dedicating the 2022-23 season in her honor.
MILESTONE WATCH
With 222 three-pointers so far in her Redbird career, graduate student Mary Crompton sits only 8 triples away from breaking Kristi Cirone's program record of 229 triples as a Redbird.
The Iowa City, Iowa native also stands with 909 points in her career, as she will look to become the 30th Redbird, second under head coach Kristen Gillespie, to amass the 1,000-point plateau.
Head coach Kristen Gillespie sits with 89 wins at Illinois State, looking to become the first head coach to eclipse 100 wins as a Redbird since current head coach at the University of Missouri, Robin Pingeton. Pingeton would finish her ISU coaching career with a record of 144-81. Gillespie is also six career wins away from 200, currently standing at 194-126.
BATTLE TESTED
Including the season opener at Dayton on Nov. 10, Illinois State has now played six overtime or double overtime games under head coach Kristen Gillespie. In those six games, the Redbirds have gone 4-2 overall, with four of the games taking place during the 2019-20 season.
NEW FACES ALL AROUND
Throughout the 2022-23 season, 7 of Illinois State's opponents (or possible opponents) will be under the direction of a first-year head coach. Four of the seven new faces will come during MVC play as Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Bradley, and UIC all made coaching hires during the offseason.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART (AND WINS) ARE
Since head coach Kristen Gillespie took over the program in 2017-18, Illinois State has gone 49-20 at home, including an impressive mark of 12-3 during the 2019-20 season.
LOOKING TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT
With a win on Sunday, ISU will pick up their first win over Wisconsin at home since January 1985. The last overall home win against a current Big Ten program for Illinois State came in 2012 when the Redbirds defeated Northwestern 64-46.
Under Gillespie, ISU has gone 1-2 against current Big Ten schools as the lone win came on the road at Illinois in a 74-58 win on Nov. 16, 2019.
GAINING NATIONAL RECONGITION
For the second consecutive time, Illinois State women's basketball sees a spot in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 poll, moving up seven spots to #14.
Joining the 'Birds in the top-25 are 2022-23 season opponents Belmont (#6), Drake, #10), and Green Bay (#20). Meanwhile, fellow MVC members Missouri State, Northern Iowa, and Valparaiso are all receiving votes.
REDBIRDS SIGN FOUR TO NLI's
Earlier this season, the Illinois State women's basketball program announced the signings of four high-level talent as part of 2022 National Signing Day. The 2023 recruiting class includes Brooke Coffey (St. Charles, Mo.), Shannon Dowell (O'Fallon, Ill.), Molly Lenz (Eden Prairie, Minn.), and Savannah McGowan (Minneapolis, Minn.).
Coffey, a 6-1 guard from St. Charles Mo., has led the Incarnate Word to 68 straight wins, including multiple state titles, as the program has now captured a total of 12 MO Class 6 Championships. Finally, Coffey will join former Redbirds Kayel Newland and Cameron Call as well as current ISU athlete, DeAnna Wilson, as athletes for ISU women's basketball under Kristen Gillespie to hail from the state of Missouri.
Dowell, a 5-10 guard from O'Fallon, Ill., comes from O'Fallon Township High where she was named First Team Southwestern All-Conference in 2021-22 along with Third Team All State for the IBCA following last year. Dowell has had the chance to learn from five-time IBCA Co-Coach of the Year in District 19 4A (Coach Knolhoff) and amassed 1,000 career points in her junior year as a Panther.
Lenz, a 5-8 guard from Eden Prairie, Minn., was awarded 2021-22 Lake Conference All-Conference and Minnesota Girls Basketball Association All-State Honorable Mention honors. As a junior, Lenz was selected as one of Eden Prairie's three Varsity captains. Lenz will join former Redbird Viria Livingston (from Minneapolis) and fellow signee Savannah McGowan as athletes to come from Minnesota and play for ISU under head coach Gillespie.
McGowan, a 6-2 forward from Minneapolis, Minn., amassed 1,000 career points during her junior season for the Armstrong High Falcons, gaining her All-State honorable mention honors. McGowans joins former Redbird Viria Livingston (also from Minneapolis) as athletes to come from Minnesota and play for ISU under head coach Gillespie.
NEW NAME, SAME ARENA
Illinois State University and CEFCU have come to terms on a naming rights and sponsorship agreement valued at approximately $3.1 million over 10 years. The agreement, which will support the funding for ongoing and ever-evolving costs associated with the student-athlete experience, was initiated by LEARFIELD's Redbird Sports Properties, the University's athletics multimedia rightsholder. The former Redbird Arena will be known as CEFCU Arena – Home of the Redbirds, with the University's Board of Trustees approving the arena name change at its October 14 meeting. The CEFCU Arena naming rights and sponsorship agreement will continue to support funding of the Redbird Student-Athlete experience. Particularly in these ever-evolving times, funding is vital to maintaining and expanding upon the current NCAA, Division I student-athlete experience.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are available for the 2022-23 season. Follow this link to purchase your season tickets or contact the Athletics Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000 for more information. Tickets start at just $65 for general admission to the women's season.
For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
