Women’s college basketball preview: Lombard native Pizzotti keeps DePaul on track until Bruno’s return

DePaul interim coach Jill Pizzotti speaks with traces of a Southern twang, so it might come as a surprise that she actually grew up in Lombard and was a three-sport star at Willowbrook High School.

“Everyone says that. It's because of my basketball,” she said. “I went to school at Southeast Missouri State and then I coached in Southern Indiana, I coached in Kentucky, I coached in Saint Louis. So I think it's from basketball, that's all I can tell you.”

Pizzotti attended Doug Bruno's camps growing up, then played on some state-ranked basketball teams for coach Lloyd Scholl at Willowbrook, before starting on her extensive coaching tour.

“My high school time was really special,” she said. “I have a ton of great memories.”

Now Pizzotti is filling the shoes of another coaching legend, DePaul's Bruno. Heading into his 39th season on the job, Bruno had to take a leave of absence due to a medical issue. He's expected to return to the bench, but in the meantime, Pizzotti and the rest of the staff are trying to prepare a young squad. The Blue Demons (2-1) will host No. 4 Texas on Sunday at Wintrust Arena.

“Our hope is he's back for Big East play, which starts Dec. 21,” Pizzotti said. “But there's no definitive timetable. I talk with coach very regularly and see him on a regular basis too.

“Our players have responded so well. We're just trying to literally come in every day with the mindset to get better and be ready and have our team at the highest level possible for when Doug returns.”

Pizzotti has been a DePaul since 2011 and was named associate head coach in 2014. The Blue Demons played in 17 consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2003-19, but have been to just one of the past four.

DePaul returns 6-foot forward Jorie Allen and not much else from last year's squad. Some suburban contributors are freshmen Angelina Smith (Bolingbrook) and Emory Klatt (Stevenson), along with sophomore Grace Carstensen (Nazareth).

“Coach Jill has been holding it down,” Allen told The DePaulia. “Coach Jill knows Bruno so well. If Bruno were here every day right now, we’d be doing the exact same thing.”

Northwestern

Last year 9-21

Coach Joe McKeown is starting his 17th season hoping to reverse a slide. The Wildcats won the Big Ten title in 2020, made the NCAA tourney in '21, but now are coming off consecutive 9-21 seasons.

Northwestern returned its top two scorers from last year (Caileigh Walsh, Melanie Daley). So far this season, two grad transfers have led the way, 5-9 guard Kyla Jones from Brown and Whitney Young H.S., along with 6-2 Taylor Williams from Michigan. Carmel grad Grace Sullivan, a 6-4 junior, is averaging 11.3 ppg.

Illinois

Last year: 19-15

Fourth-year coach Shauna Green opened some eyes this week by signing a recruiting class that was ranked top 10 in the country, headlined by Whitney Young point guard Destiny Jackson. That's for next year, though. The Illini bring back their top four scorers — 5-9 guard Makira Cook, 5-6 guard Genesis Bryant, 6-2 forward Kendall Bostic, 5-10 guard Adalia McKenzie — and are hoping to finish near the top of the Big Ten.

Loyola

Last year 15-16

Third-year head coach Allison Guth, who played for Buffalo Grove's 2000 state championship team, has brought in some new faces. The top scorers are Paris, France, native Naelle Bernard, a transfer from Duquesne ,and Bucknell transfer Emma Theodorsson. Six-foot-3 freshman Roisin Grandberry (Rolling Meadows) will vie for time.

UIC

Last year: 18-16

In a world of transfer mania, UIC has some impressive carryover, with nine of the top 11 scorers back from last season, led by Chicago native Makiyah Williams. Ashleen Bracey is another head coach with roots in the suburbs as an Oak Park native.

Northern Illinois

Last year: 15-16

Northern Illinois has been either .500 or one game under for the past four seasons. Tenth-year head coach Lisa Carlsen welcomes back 5-6 guard Chelby Koker, a sixth-year senior who averaged 15.4 ppg in 2022-23, then missed last season with an injury. A couple of local players in the rotation are Brooke Blumenfeld (Glenbrook North) and Shannon Blacher (Montini).

Illinois State

Last year: 22-12

The Redbirds opened with a win over Northwestern, trying to extend a run of six straight winning seasons. Senior guard Lauren Cohen (Glenbard South) has joined the starting lineup.

SIU-Edwardsville

Last year: 5-26

Through two games, the Cougars' top scorer is 6-1 junior Brianna Wooldridge (Fremd). Freshman guard Meegan Fahy (Maine South) and senior guard Molly Sheehan (Benet) are vying for a starting spot.