History will be made at the Breslin Center on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as Illinois women’s basketball prepares to take the court for its 1,500th game in program history. The stakes couldn’t be higher: the No. 24/19 Michigan State Spartans stand in their way, boasting a five-game winning streak of their own and a formidable 13-1 record. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. CT (noon local time), with the Big Ten Network carrying all the action live.
Both teams enter this Big Ten clash riding impressive waves of momentum. Illinois, under the steady leadership of fourth-year head coach Shauna Green, has reeled off an 11-game winning streak—tying the longest in program history. Their most recent triumph, a thrilling 73-70 upset over No. 7/6 Maryland on New Year’s Day, marked the Illini’s highest-ranked Big Ten win ever and their first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2014. That win wasn’t just a statement—it was a declaration that Illinois is a force to be reckoned with this season.
Let’s not forget the Spartans, though. Michigan State, coached by Robyn Fralick in her third season, has quietly built up a 13-1 overall record and sits at 2-1 in Big Ten play. Their lone setback came on the road at Wisconsin in December, but they bounced back convincingly, most recently dispatching Indiana 80-60 on the road. The Spartans are hungry for their third consecutive conference win, and the home crowd in East Lansing will be ready to roar.
This matchup carries even more weight, with both teams tied atop the Big Ten standings. Illinois’ 13-1 start is already the best in program history, and their 3-0 conference record is the best since a 4-0 run back in the 1999-2000 season. The Illini’s only blemish came in November, a hard-fought loss to Oregon State. Since then, they’ve been nothing short of dominant, blending high-powered offense with stifling defense and clutch performances when it matters most.
Star power abounds on both sides, but Illinois sophomore Berry Wallace has been the talk of the town. Wallace is averaging a sizzling 17.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game through 14 contests. Her sophomore surge has been nothing short of spectacular—she opened the season with four straight 20-point games, a feat unmatched by any other player in a Power Five conference. Wallace’s consistency and efficiency (51.1% from the field, 34.0% from deep, and a remarkable 87.7% from the line) have made her a nightmare for opposing defenses. “Berry’s ability to take over games has given us confidence in every close contest,” Coach Green said earlier this week.
But Wallace is far from a solo act. Illinois’ starting five have each played pivotal roles in the team’s historic start. Redshirt sophomore Gretchen Dolan, who recently received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA, is averaging 15.1 points per game and has been especially effective in Big Ten play, notching 17.3 points per contest. Freshman Destiny Jackson anchors the backcourt with 8.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and a team-leading 4.9 assists per game, while Jasmine Brown-Hagger and Cearah Parchment round out a balanced attack. Parchment, a freshman forward, has already posted four double-doubles this season and is averaging 11.5 points and 7.9 rebounds.
The Illini’s recent win over Maryland showcased their resilience and depth. Wallace led the way with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Parchment stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight boards, three steals, and three blocks. Dolan matched Parchment’s scoring output with 17 points of her own. Destiny Jackson’s clutch free throws late in the fourth quarter, following a timely three-pointer from Brown-Hagger, sealed the deal for Illinois. The Illini also dominated the glass, scoring 16 second-chance points on 11 offensive rebounds and holding Maryland to a paltry 8.3% from beyond the arc.
Coach Green’s tenure at Illinois has been marked by steady progress and historic achievements. With 76 wins as of January 3, 2026, she now ranks third all-time among Illini women’s basketball coaches. Her squads have become known for their discipline and efficiency, especially when it comes to taking care of the basketball. Illinois has ranked among the Big Ten’s best in fewest turnovers per game for three straight seasons, and this year is no exception, averaging just 12.3 turnovers—good for fourth in the conference and 17th nationally. That emphasis on ball security has paid dividends, especially in tight games against ranked opponents.
Free throw shooting has also emerged as a key weapon for the Illini. They lead the Big Ten and are second in Division I with an eye-popping 83.1% mark from the charity stripe after the holiday break. That’s not just impressive—it’s historic, as the previous two seasons under Green already set program records for single-season free throw percentage. “We talk about it every day in practice. Free throws win games, especially in the Big Ten,” Green emphasized following the Maryland win.
Illinois’ ability to rise to the occasion against ranked foes is no fluke. The program has now beaten a ranked opponent in each of Green’s four seasons at the helm. The 2024-25 squad tied a program record with four ranked wins in a single season, including victories at home, on the road, and at neutral sites. The win over Maryland was the seventh such triumph under Green and the first over a top-10 Big Ten team in Illinois history.
For Michigan State, the challenge is clear: stop an Illini team brimming with confidence and poised to make more history. The Spartans have dominated the all-time series, leading 47-28, and are 25-10 when playing in East Lansing. Yet, Illinois is looking to flip the script. A win would mark their first at MSU since January 23, 2014, move Green to 2-2 all-time against the Spartans, and extend the Illini’s win streak to a program-record 12 games. It would also give Illinois a 4-0 start in Big Ten play for the first time since 1999-2000 and further solidify their spot atop the conference standings.
With both teams boasting just one loss and eyeing Big Ten supremacy, Sunday’s showdown is shaping up to be a classic. Will Illinois continue its historic run and finally break through in East Lansing, or will the Spartans defend their home court and keep their own streak alive? Fans won’t want to miss a minute as two of the conference’s hottest teams collide in a battle packed with storylines, star power, and plenty of drama.
As the Illini and Spartans prepare to tip off, all eyes are on the Breslin Center. The outcome remains up in the air, but one thing’s for certain—Illinois women’s basketball is rewriting its history books with every game, and Sunday’s contest promises to add another memorable chapter.