NASHVILLE, TN — No team in the Women's NCAA Tournament is younger than No. 7 seed Illinois. Twelve of the 15 players on their roster are underclassmen. And the average age of the team is under 20.
The Fighting Illini roster, with only two players – Gretchen Dolan and Gisela Segura – over the age of 21, faced concerns about inexperience at the start of the season. For a program still working to establish itself, that youth only added more uncertainty. Now, the Illini are fully embracing that identity as a key part of their success. It may even be their biggest strength.
“We’re the youngest team in the NCAA tournament … at first I was like, we’re not going to talk about youth,” coach Shauna Green said. “Then I’m like, we are what we are … let’s use it as more fuel.”
WHO'S IN WOMEN's SWEET 16: Updated NCAA Tournament bracket, schedule
After coming off back-to-back losing seasons just a few years ago, the program has seen a quick turnaround under head coach Shauna Green. Illinois posted a 22-10 record in her first full season and won the 2024 WBIT championship. Now, they’re in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, preparing to challenge No. 2 seed Vanderbilt on the Commodores' home court.
