By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

November 7, 2024

There is a ton of hype surrounding the Illini women’s basketball program coming off of their WBIT Championship last season and the Illini are starting off with a big challenge when they host #19 Florida State on Thursday night from the State Farm Center.

The Details

The 51st campaign of Illinois women's basketball tips off with Illinois hosting #19/19 Florida State on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. CT on B1G+ from State Farm Center. Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (1400 AM / 93.9 FM). Streaming, audio, and stats links are also available at FightingIllini.com/wbb. 

FSU Loaded for 2024-25

Florida State brought back 75% of its scoring production from a year ago as well as 82% of their rebounds. FSU went 23-11 last season including a 12-6 mark in ACC play. The Seminoles have appeared in 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. 

Florida State opened the 2024-25 campaign on Monday vs. North Florida, coming away with a 119-49 win from the Tucker Center on Education Day. 

Ta’Niya Latson scored 21 points per game for the Noles last season and started this season with 27 in 21 minutes earlier this week. The 5’8 Guard also averaged just over 4 rebounds and 4 assists. …..6’2 Forward Makayla Timpson had 17 points and 22 rebounds in their opener, coming off of a 14.2 PPG and 10 RPG season a year ago…..5’4 Guard Amairah Gordon is a shooter (38% from deep) that averaged 13.2PPG a year ago…..Texas AM transfer Syndey Bowles rounds out the top perimeter players. The 6’0" Guard had 18 in her debut.

The Matchup

The 2024 matchup marks the third meeting in the all-time series between Illinois and Florida State. Most recently, the sides met in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge during the 2021-22 season. FSU leads the series, 2-0,

Illinois and Florida State announced a home-and-home series on Sept. 2, as the Illini will make a return trip to Tallahassee in 2025-26.

Scoring Punch

Entering the 2024-25 campaign, Illinois has four players with 1,000+ career points scored. Makira Cook and Adalia McKenzie have surpassed 1,000 points in their time at Illinois, while Genesis Bryant and Kendall Bostic are within 100 points of achieving the feat as Illini. Bostic will be the 4th 1000-1000 Illini once she crosses that threshold. 

Notable

»Illinois is 2-3 all-time when facing an AP-ranked team in a season-opener. Thursday night marks the 6th occurrence.Illi…..nois returns four 1,000-career point scorers, tied for the most in the NCAA with Baylor, Notre Dame, and Kansas State…..Illinois' exhibition game starters (Cook, Bryant, McKenzie, Shoup-Hill, Bostic) have a combined 354 career starts (328 at Illinois) and played a combined 496 games (368 at Illinois).

Keys to the Game

-Handle the FSU Pressure

-Win the battle on the glass

-Limit Paint touches

Prediction

The Illini are at home and hyped, they find a way to get a 75-71 win.