Illinois faces top-seeded Texas in NCAA Tournament matchup

Illinois has a challenging matchup ahead as they face No. 1 Texas in the NCAA Tournament. This game will determine who advances to the Sweet 16. Illinois comes off a strong performance, securing their first tournament win in 25 years, thanks mainly to senior forward Kendall Bostic. Bostic, who stands at 6-foot-1, is ready to take on Texas's taller players, 6-foot-4 Taylor Jones and 6-foot-6 Kyla Oldacre. She is used to playing against bigger opponents from her time in the Big Ten. "It's not something I've not seen before," Bostic said. She averaged nearly 16 points and 11 rebounds this season. In their first-round game, she achieved 12 points and 17 rebounds. Texas had a commanding win in their opening match, with Jones scoring 19 points and Oldacre adding 15 points and 15 rebounds. They are a strong duo, and they aim to wear out opponents through their physical play, making it hard to keep up over four quarters. Despite Texas's height advantage, their coach, Vic Schaefer, acknowledged Bostic's skills. He noted she is more than just a power player and can shoot effectively. Illinois has shown they can defend well against 3-point shooting. However, Texas rarely relies on the 3-point shot in their game strategy. Illinois coach Shauna Green believes her team is prepared for the tough environment of playing against a No. 1 seed on their home court. They have faced strong competition in the past, including losses to other top seeds. She thinks these experiences will help Illinois in their matchup with Texas. The winner will move on to face either Ohio State or Tennessee in Birmingham, Alabama.