Illinois Women's Basketball Earns Preseason AP Ranking
The Fighting Illini enter the 2026-27 campaign ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press preseason poll.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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The Illinois women's basketball team has been ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press preseason poll released this week. This recognition follows a successful 2025-26 season in which the team finished with a 22-12 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Why it matters
The ranking signals high expectations for the program as it returns nearly its entire roster from last season. It also highlights the university's dual success, as Illinois is one of only 10 schools in the country to have both its men's and women's teams featured in the initial AP Top 25 polls.
Illinois earned the No. 23 spot in the preseason poll, marking the fifth time the program has debuted in the initial rankings. The team builds on a 22-12 record from the previous season, during which they reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The players
Illinois Fighting Illini
The athletic teams representing the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
The details
The program returns nearly its entire roster for the upcoming year, providing continuity after last season's NCAA tournament appearance. Illinois is currently one of 10 universities to hold a spot in both the men's and women's AP preseason Top 25 polls.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Illinois received the No. 23 preseason ranking.
November 4, 2026: Illinois plays Detroit Mercy in the season opener.
Season Trajectory
The No. 23 preseason ranking sets a standard for a program looking to build on the momentum of its 2025-26 NCAA tournament run. This status matches the team's opening position from the 2023-24 season, placing Illinois firmly in the conversation for conference and post-season contention.
Fans in Champaign can prepare for the season opener on November 4, which marks the first opportunity to see the returning roster in action at the State Farm Center. The No. 23 ranking serves as a benchmark for the team's performance expectations throughout the upcoming 2026-27 schedule.
The takeaway
This preseason ranking validates the program's growth and stability following last year's tournament appearance. Fans should monitor the upcoming season opener to see how the returning veteran core handles the expectations associated with a Top 25 national ranking.
What happens next
The Illinois women's basketball team is scheduled to host Detroit Mercy for their official season opener on November 4, 2026, at the State Farm Center.
Further reading
Read more about local team developments on the Champaign Basketball page.
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