Illinois women's basketball season preview

The Illinois women's basketball team has unfinished business heading into the 2008-09 season. After coming within seconds of a Big Ten Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth, the Fighting Illini are ready to turn and begin a news season.

The Illini made a historic and memorable run in the 2008 Big Ten Tournament, winning three games in three days and advancing to the championship before falling to Purdue on a buzzer-beater. In all, Illinois had seven conference games that came down to the final possession.

"Expectations are high because of what we've done," second-year head coach Jolette Law said. "We had that memory of being within three seconds of an NCAA berth with us all summer, and really it has been our motivation since the game was over."

Illinois returns three key players from last season's squad, senior Chelsea Gordon and juniors Lacey Simpson and Jenna Smith. The trio logged over 3,400 minutes in 2007-08 and will each be entering her third season as a starter. All will be called upon to carry just as big of a load on the court this season as well as develop into leaders off the court.

"The leadership of my upperclassmen has been fantastic," Law said. "I would put those three against the best in the country. They know what we went through last year and they've been echoing everything I'm saying to the newcomers. The whole culture around here is changing, and that's a good thing."

Smith is coming off one of the most impressive individual seasons in recent Illini memory, averaging 18.3 points and 9.4 rebounds as a sophomore to break onto the national scene. She was honored by being named an Associated Press honorable mention All-American as well as first team All-Big Ten.

"I just want Jenna to take off from where she was last year," Law said. "She's no longer the hunter, she's the hunted. She has to work 10 times harder because she is going to be facing double and triple teams the entire season. She is going to have to be that much more focused and prepared, and we're going to push her and take her to another level."

Gordon is well-known in the Big Ten for her defense, and was continually called upon last season to guard the opposing team's top scorer. As the Illini's lone senior, she will look to be more of an offensive threat in her final season to complement her stellar defense.

"On defense we rely on Chelsea all the time," Law said. "Going into this year, I want her to also be confident about her ball handling and her shot. We're also relying on her to be the mother of this group. She's the only senior and we're asking her to help leave a legacy at Illinois."

The most versatile Illini, Simpson can play every position on the court, and may be asked to this season. She led last year's squad in assists (110) and steals (83), while also blocking 38 shots and scoring in double figures in 12 games. She was especially effective late in the season, averaging 11.3 points and 7.5 boards per game in the Big Ten Tournament and WNIT.

"I continually push Lacey, because she is destined to be an All-American," Law said. "She has been working extremely hard, and we're just trying to get her mentally ready for everything we are going to ask out of her this year."

Mixing with the three veterans are five talented newcomers. The Illini will also add the services of Lydia McCully, who redshirted last season but went through a year of practice and is familiar with Law's system.

"We have a small roster, but it's a community," Law said. "Collectively, we're all on the same page and it's nine strong. We have no excuses. We are going to be conditioned and physically and mentally ready for the challenge."

Illinois will be tested early this season, with an especially grueling non-conference schedule that includes ACC opponents Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. The Orange and Blue will also be consistently on the road prior to the Big Ten season, with seven non-conference games played away from Assembly Hall.

"In order to be the best we have to play the best," Law said. "Those programs have what I want, and I want them to fear Illinois. We are not a second-class university or program, and we feel that we can compete with the best."

Here's a breakdown of the team by position:

Point guards

The Illini backcourt will consist of three newcomers. Leading the way is redshirt freshman McCully (Bedford Heights, Ohio), who Law hopes will play more like a veteran after having a year of practice under her belt.

"To me, Lydia is in the best situation of anyone," Law said. "She was on the bench last season and she watched. She knows my terminology, saw the adjustments and could hear the coaching corrections. Now it's about applying what she learned last year. She has a lot of natural ability, and can make everybody else on the court better as a true point guard."

Freshmen Fabiola Josil (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Eboni Mitchell (Decatur, Ga.) both came to the Illini as highly touted recruits, and will see plenty of court time at both guard positions along with McCully.

"I really feel like I have three point guards, and if you have three who know the game inside and out you consider yourself a dangerous team," Law said. "Lydia has the most experience, while Fab is extremely quick and a great defender. Eboni is a very crafty guard, and her shooting is the most consistent of the three."

Wing guards

Gordon (Erie, Pa.) and Simpson (Zion, Ill.) lead the way at the small forward position, and will be asked to help Smith carry some of the scoring load. Both upperclassmen are strong defenders that have shown flashes of their offensive talents, but Law hopes for more consistency.

Last season, Gordon averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while Simpson averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds.

"(Gordon) had some breakout games last season, so we know she can do it," Law said. "(Simpson) is my utility person. We're going to train her as a guard but also put her in the post. I want her to be free in our offense so she can utilize her talents."

Freshman Macie Blinn (Greenville, Ohio) will be an immediate asset to the Illini with her three-point shooting ability. In high school, the Ohio All-Stater scored over 1,500 career points and averaged 22.5 during her senior campaign.

"The way she has worked out preseason, she's probably one of the best shooters in the league," Law said. "Now we're working on her footwork, technique and touch. I'm constantly impressed by her efforts because she wants to get better and wants to learn."

Also in the mix is junior Whitney Toone (Brooklyn, NY), who comes to the Illini after spending two seasons at Okaloosa-Walton College. Law sees Toone as a high-energy player with a veteran presence.

"Whitney has an edge to her, and she doesn't quit," Law said. "Everything she does is at game speed. Her playing experience is something we're going to need."

Post players

Last season, most of the Illini offense ran through Smith (Bloomington, Minn.) as she achieved a number of individual accomplishments. She scored in double figures in 34 of 35 games last season, and posted 16 double-doubles to lead the conference while also leading the Big Ten in minutes played (37.3). Smith also set the Illinois single-season blocks record (59), and entering 2008-09 needs just 28 points to have 1,000 in her career.

Despite these figures, Law believes Smith is just scratching the surface of her talents.

"I want her to continue to be hungry and continue to be consistent, while embracing what we're trying to teach her," Law said. "She doesn't need to put the weight of the world on her back. If she does her part, we will have other people around her to help. She also knows that her great sophomore year means nothing if she doesn't continue to improve as a junior."

Spelling minutes for Smith and contributing minutes in the frontcourt will be freshman Lana Rukavina (Wheeling, Ill.), who helped lead Wheeling High School to a 104-21 record in her four years a s a starter. She averaged over 13 points and seven rebounds in each of her last two seasons and can knock down shots from the outside as well as play on the block.

"Lana is going to surprise people," Law said. "She is a quick learner and has a nice touch on her shot. If she continues to be patient and wants to learn, she will be an asset on our team."