Exuberance Over Experience: Youthful Illini Ready to Step Onto NCAA Stage

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Co-Founder

March 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - When she walked off the court in Austin, Texas following Illinois' NCAA Tournament second round loss a year ago, Shauna Green knew the season ahead would be different.

"Yeah, I mean, losing pretty much our starting lineup last year and over 80% of our scoring and had a very veteran team", Green told reporters on Friday. "Now we're the youngest team in the NCAA tournament right now."

The Illini were also the youngest team in the rugged Big Ten this season, but that . . .

 

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