No. 23 Illinois women opened regular season Wednesday night against Detroit Mercy

CHAMPAIGN - The Illinois women's basketball team opened its regular season at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, against Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center, according to Illinois Athletics. The game streamed on B1G+ and aired on the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (1400 AM/93.9 FM).

Illinois is No. 23 in the AP preseason poll and No. 22 in the coaches poll as it began its fifth season under coach Shauna Green, who is 85-47 at Illinois. The Illini beat UIS 88-44 in an exhibition Oct. 30. Illinois is 17-4 in its previous 21 season openers and 4-0 under Green.

Detroit Mercy went 7-24 last season, 4-16 in the Horizon League, and was picked ninth in the league's preseason coaches poll. The Titans opened Monday with a 94-30 win over Michigan-Dearborn. Illinois leads the series 2-1; Wednesday's game was the fourth meeting.

Illinois' next home game is against Southern at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Sources: Fighting Illini: #23/22 Illini host Detroit Mercy for season opener and Fighting Illini: women's basketball schedule (read Nov. 4, 2026).