Preview: Southern California at Illinois in Key Big Ten Women’s Basketball Clash

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — A pivotal Big Ten Conference women’s basketball matchup is set for Sunday when the Illinois Fighting Illini host the Southern California Women of Troy at State Farm Center.

The Fighting Illini (16-7 overall) enter with the stronger record, but the Women of Troy (14-9) arrive with momentum, having won three consecutive games. Southern California is coming off an 83-65 road victory at Northwestern on Thursday. Illinois looks to rebound from a narrow 76-73 loss at Oregon on Wednesday.

The game features a compelling duel between standout guards. Southern California’s Jazzy Davidson has been on a scoring tear, averaging 18.1 points over her last eight games. She is fresh off a 21-point, 6-assist performance against Northwestern and has scored 21 or more points in four of her last six outings.

Illinois will counter with floor general Destiny Jackson, who is averaging 11.1 points and 5.4 assists per game during the same eight-game stretch. Jackson dished out 7 assists in the loss to Oregon and posted a 15-point, 9-assist game at Penn State last month.

Southern California’s recent surge includes a dominant 71-39 win over Rutgers and an 81-69 victory over Iowa. However, they have struggled on the road in conference play, with losses at Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota.

Illinois has experienced similar road woes, with recent losses at Oregon, Nebraska and Michigan. Their strength has been at home, where they boast key conference wins over Northwestern and Maryland.

The matchup will test Illinois’ home-court advantage against a Southern California team finding its rhythm. The Women of Troy’s offensive output, led by Davidson, Kennedy Smith and Kara Dunn, will challenge an Illini defense that allowed 80 points in a loss to UCLA in late January.

This contest is crucial for both teams’ positioning in the competitive Big Ten standings as the regular season enters its final month.

Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Champaign.