Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball team will begin their 2025-26 season by hosting Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) on Tuesday, November 4, at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CT.

Tickets for the event are available as single-game or season options. As part of a Military Appreciation Game promotion, veterans and active duty military personnel can obtain free tickets through Vet Tix. Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the match via B1G+, a streaming service offered by the Big Ten Network, with monthly and annual subscription plans. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network will provide radio coverage, and live statistics will be available through StatBroadcast.

Illinois enters this season following strong performances under head coach Shauna Green, who has compiled a 63-35 record over her first three years with the program. Last year’s home opener drew more than 3,700 fans—an increase from previous seasons—and total attendance for the 2024-25 campaign reached over 84,000 across all home games, ranking second-best in program history.

The projected starting lineup features two freshmen: Destiny Jackson and Cearah Parchment. This marks the first time since 2019 that Illinois will start two freshmen in a season opener. Parchment recently recorded a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds during an exhibition game against Maryville, while Jackson contributed nine points and four steals.

Coach Green has led Illinois to three consecutive double-digit win seasons for the first time in school history. Under her leadership, Illinois set new records for overall wins in a coach's first three years and achieved an eleven-game winning streak between March and November of last year—the longest active streak nationally at that time.

This year’s roster includes eight newcomers alongside seven returning players. Only about one-quarter of last season’s scoring returns after several key players completed their collegiate careers. However, new additions from recruiting efforts and transfers bring depth to all positions.

Illinois’ squad is among the youngest in Power Five women’s basketball programs this year, with an average age just under twenty years old. Two players are above age twenty-one; freshman Cearah Parchment is currently eighteen.

The team also highlights local talent: five players hail from within Illinois—including Destiny Jackson from Chicago (named both Illinois Ms. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year), Aaliyah Guyton from Peoria (a top-ranked recruit), Jasmine Brown-Hagger from Shorewood (the state’s top player in her class), Hayven Smith from Frankfort, and Mia Zenere from Mokena.

International representation remains strong as well; six athletes come from countries including Brazil, Spain, Australia, and Canada.

New staff members join this season: Jackie Alexander was hired as assistant coach after serving at Toledo and other institutions; Zachary Choo takes on assistant director of scouting/video duties following his tenure at Wisconsin.

Director of Recruiting Operations Emily Durr was recently inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame after a standout high school career in Utica followed by playing at Iowa State.

Illinois’ tallest player ever joins this year: Lety Vasconcelos stands at six feet seven inches tall—a mark matched only by two other current conference athletes.

With several non-conference home games scheduled for streaming on B1G+ throughout the season—beginning with SEMO—the Illini look to build on recent successes as they enter what Coach Green describes as “a new era” defined by opportunity.