Freshmen bring depth to Illinois women’s basketball

Illinois' Macie Blinn (21) dribbles the ball towards the basket while being defended by Lewis University's Kelly Monaco (25) during an exhibition game at Assembly Hall on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Illinois won 75-40.
Christine Chung The Daily Illini

The women’s basketball team’s win against Lewis on Sunday confirmed what Illinois’ players and coaches already knew: that Illinois will have a deep rotation this season.

Illinois played every healthy member of its team against Lewis. Of those who played, all but two saw double-digit minutes, and nobody played more than 24 minutes.

While exhibition games are usually the time for everyone to see playing time as the coaches finalize a rotation, the Illini showed they will have enough athletes to sub in four to five players at a time.

A deep rotation naturally leads to a competition for minutes, and that is what head coach Jolette Law was hoping for going into the season.

“Everybody’s being pushed,” Law said. “Jenna (Smith) is being pushed. You talk about championship level, that’s what I’m used to. I’m used to competition every day in practice. There are no guaranteed spots, everybody is coming, playing hard every day. And it doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as we win.”

Sophomore Macie Blinn was one of the Illini’s top outside threats last season, but she is already being challenged for minutes by freshman Amber Moore, who shot 3 of 7 from beyond the arc in her Illini debut.

“She pushes me a lot,” Blinn said. “I need to shoot as well as she does to play.”

Law said her players are not trying to take minutes from each other but instead using the competition for playing time as motivation to keep practices competitive.

Versatility key in Law’s mind

Working hard in practice is not the only thing that could decide playing time for Illinois.

The ability to play multiple positions is something Law will look at — and that all of her best players possess.

“I’ve got kids that can play inside and out,” Law said. “Destiny (Williams) is better on the wing ... but she’s 6-3. Right now she can play inside and out. Right now Lacey (Simpson) is playing the point. Lacey can play all four positions. I’ve got versatile kids now.”

Playing the point is something Simpson said she enjoys as her senior season kicks off.

“I’m comfortable at any spot she wants to play me at,” Simpson said. “Actually I’ve been telling her, ‘Do you want me to play more point? I’m your woman for the job.’ So this year, she’s going to rotate me at different positions and I just have to be ready. I don’t mind it, I like it.”

Early to bed, early to rise

It is not unusual for Simpson to be sound asleep at 9 p.m. But maybe the self described ‘old lady’ of the team is on to something.

The early bedtime allows the senior to be one of the most energetic players during Law’s 6:30 a.m. practices.

“I’m a morning person, so when I get in here it’s my job to get (the team) ready for Coach Law to warm them up,” Simpson said.

Williams feeling better

After missing Sunday’s game because of illness, freshman Destiny Williams may play in Friday’s season opener at Temple.

“If she’s ready to go, she’ll play,” Law said. “If she’s not, we’re not going to rush her ... We’ve got a whole season.”

Law said Williams practiced Wednesday.

But as Williams is improving, Law said Moore may be coming down with illness, as she only had a limited role in practice on Wednesday.