@CanesWBB Hosts Illinois in B1G/ACC Challenge

IllinoisatMiami

The Game
Miami, receiving votes in both the AP Poll and USA TODAY Coaches Poll, will face Illinois in the ninth Big Ten/ACC Challenge Wednesday night. The Hurricanes and Fighting Illini are set to square off at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. Tickets are $5, with youth 12-and-under admitted free of charge.

The Series
Illinois has a 2-0 edge in the all-time series against the Hurricanes, including an 85-83 road win in the most recent meeting on Dec. 30, 1987.

The Team
Eight Hurricanes are back from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. That group includes a trio of starters who are now the team captains: junior guard Adrienne Motley, a Preseason All-ACC selection, junior guard Jessica Thomas and redshirt senior guard Michelle Woods.

One of the eight returnees is redshirt junior forward Keyona Hayes, who missed last season due to an ankle injury after leading the team in rebounding in 2013-14. The Hurricanes also have a quartet of sophomores in forward/center Erykah Davenport, guard Nigia Greene (redshirt sophomore), forward Keyanna Harris and forward Khaila Prather.

Additionally, Miami has four new players in the fold this season in guard Laura Cornelius, forward/center Emese Hof, forward/center Zada Williams and guard/forward Shaneese Bailey, who will sit out the season as a transfer from Florida Atlantic.

The Coach
Katie Meier, in her eleventh season in Coral Gables, Fla., has led Miami to great heights during her tenure. Since 2009-10, the Wheaton, Ill. native has directed the program to its greatest six-year stretch ever, making the postseason in all six years, with five 20-plus win seasons and four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Meier has guided Miami to 53 victories in ACC play over the past five seasons, the second-most of any team in the conference. The 2010-11 AP National Coach of the Year  is in her 15th season as a head coach, spending the first four at Charlotte, and owns a career record of 266-179, including 190-134 at Miami.

The Opponent
Led by sophomore center Chatrice White’s 20.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, the Fighting Illini enter the game at 4-0 on the season. Illinois posted a 15-16 mark last year, including a 6-12 record in B1G play.

Last Time Out
The Hurricanes used a 30-point second quarter to roll to an 86-58 victory against La Salle Sunday to cap the Miami Thanksgiving Classic. Motley surpassed 1,000 career points in the win and was one of five Hurricanes to score in double figures. Woods led the way with 17, Motley had 14 and Davenport, Hof and Thomas each added 12. Miami had a 40-18 edge in points off turnovers in the win.

Up Next
Miami will take on Coppin State Friday, Dec. 4 at the BankUnited Center, with the game scheduled for 7 p.m.

Promotions
As is the case for all women’s basketball games at the BankUnited Center this season, youth 12-and-under will receive free admission. Team posters, schedule cards and new rules infographics will be available at the marketing table by the main entrance.

Additionally, there will be a chalk talk at 6 p.m. in the Hurricane 100 room prior to the game. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.