Who: Western Illinois vs Wisconsin
Where: Madison, WI (Kohl Center)
When: Thursday, Nov. 9th
Social Media: @WIUWBB (Twitter + Instagram + Facebook)

Returning Starters 
Western Illinois is set to return four or their five primary starters from last season. Anna Deets and Alissa Dins highlight the predicted starting five. Deets, an OVC preseason All-Conference player, averaged 12.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg last season. Dins was a force to be reckoned with in the paint last season, averaging 1.1 blocks per game. 
Addi Brownfield and Carla Flores are the other returning starters from last season. Brownfield, now in her Sophomore campaign, led all WIU freshmen last season with 9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 1.8 apg. Flores returns to WIU after averaging 4.9 ppg and 2.2 rpg in 18 minutes of play. 

Opening Night Success 
Freshmen Raegan McCowan started her Leatherneck career on a high note. Shooting 9-11 from the field, McCowan lead the Leathernecks with 19 points. McCowan also brought down four rebounds and drew four fouls. 

Strong Bench 
Western Illinois is known for playing a lot of different players every single night. This season will be no different. Seniors Mallory McDermott and Kennedy Flanagan brought the energy in the second unit last season. McDermott, a three-point specialist, knocked down 36 three-pointers last season at over a 32% clip. 

Three is more than two 
The Leathernecks are always dangerous from behind 22 feet. Last season, the Leathernecks made 220 three-pointers, shooting over 28% as a team. Deets led the way with 49, McDermott had 36, and Brownfield knocked down 22. 

New Faces 
WIU welcomed five new players to this team's roster. Jasmine Nichols joined WIU as the lone transfer from Moorpark College. Nichols averaged 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals for the Raiders last season. Maria Messling, Raegan McCowan, Ainsley Holthaus, and Kaylen Reed are in the 2023 freshmen class. 

Scouting Wisconsin 
Wisconsin opens up their season against Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The Badgers return one starter from last season in senior Brooke Schramek. UW took down UW-Whitewater in a scrimmage. Sophomore Serah Williams scored 30 points in just 21minutes of play. 

Up Next 
The Leathernecks travel back home on Sunday (Nov. 12) to battle in-state rival Northern Illinois.