The 2020–21 Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball team represented the University of Illinois during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Fighting Illini, led by fourth-year head coach Nancy Fahey, played their home games at State Farm Center as members of the Big Ten Conference. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, they played fewer non-conference games than in previous seasons; three games were originally postponed and later canceled due to the pandemic. They finished the season 5–18, 2–16 in Big Ten play to finish in thirteenth place. They lost in the second round of the Big Ten women's tournament to Northwestern. Their first round win against Wisconsin was the first Big Ten tournament victory in coach Fahey's tenure at Illinois.
Previous season
The Illini finished the 2019–20 season 11–19, 2–16 in Big Ten play to finish in 13th (of 14) place. They lost in the first round of the Big Ten women's tournament to Wisconsin.
Roster
Schedule and results Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, games were played without an audience, or with very limited attendance.
!colspan="9" style=| Non-conference regular season
!colspan="9" style=| Big Ten conference season
!colspan="9" style=| Big Ten Women's Tournament
Rankings
+ Regular season pollsPoll Pre-Season Week2 Week3 Week4 Week5 Week6 Week7 Week8 Week9 Week10 Week11 Week12 Week13 Week14 Week15 Week16 Week17 Week18 Week19 Final AP N/A Coaches + Legend Increase in ranking Decrease in ranking Not ranked previous week (RV) Received Votes
See also 2020–21 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
References