The learning process exists in many facets of basketball. In the women's basketball team's last game, it appeared as if they were starting to catch on. Against Bradley the process continues toward improving and getting wins.

"Our chemistry has really been coming along," said junior Angelina Williams. "We have always all gotten along with each other, but now it is becoming more evident in our play that things are starting to go smoothly. We all can play and we are filling our roles on the court."

Bradley came into the game 1-5, picking up three consecutive losses, but Illinois is not looking past the Braves. Since the beginning of the season they have made sure not to take anyone lightly.

"We need for someone to step up," said head coach Theresa Grentz. "We need to do the things that we need to do to win. The simple things need to be executed and we need to always take care of the ball."

Grentz also added that the Illini need only worry about themselves and "play our game."

The Illini are going into Bradley after a big win against in-state rival Illinois State. Against the Redbirds, Illinois made two large improvements that they hope to carry into the Bradley game.

The Illini were able to take better care of the ball and prevent turnovers.

"It is very important to take care of the ball," Williams said. "Bradley is going to be very scrappy, so to win we need to limit our turnovers. We can't overlook them. We need to play as if we were playing a big time school, the best in the nation."

Another difference in the game against Illinois State was the Illini's ability to shoot the ball inside and get 54 points in the paint, as well as an overwhelming amount of rebounds from the forwards.

"Most definitely the determining factor between our wins and losses was how effectively we got production out of our post," said freshman Erin Wigley. "In our losses, our post was outplayed and we were not as aggressive as we should have been. Our post presence has been stressed and it's what I key on."

The Illini have not played at Assembly Hall for five games, and are excited to get back to playing in front of a true home court.

"It was nice to have a bunch of away games," Wigley said. "We all love getting back to play home, back to the band and the crowd."

Illinois now is 2-4, and said that by the end of the week they could be back to playing .500 basketball.