NORMAL — An intrastate rivalry Illinois State women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton believes “needs to happen” will be renewed today.

The University of Illinois, which has not played ISU since 2005 and has not visited Normal since 2004, comes to Redbird Arena for a 7:05 p.m. nonconference game.

“We’re really excited we have the opportunity to start that matchup again with Illinois,” Pingeton said. “I think it’s a natural, a team we should be playing year in and year out. It’s 45 minutes away and we recruit a lot of the same players. I’m glad (Illinois coach) Jolette (Law) decided to get the series started again.

“I know her as a person from her playing days at Iowa. She played with my sister back in the Vivian Stringer era. She’s doing a great job with that program.”

ISU will travel to Illinois next season with future games likely, according to Pingeton.

“Right now, it’s a two-year series,” said the Redbird coach. “But I think we’re both on the same page in regards to wanting to continue the series.”

Illinois is 3-1 and scoring 24 more points per game than it did during a 10-21 campaign in 2008-09. The Fighting Illini were picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten Conference.

Jenna Smith, a 6-foot-3 senior and two-time first-team all-Big Ten selection, is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds thus far. Karisma Penn, a 6-2 freshman, is adding 16.8 points. The Illini’s other starters have been 6-1 senior Lacey Simpson, 5-11 freshman Adrienne Godbold and 5-9 sophomore Lydia McCully.

“It’s something our team has to come together and do,” ISU forward Ashleen Bracey said of confronting the Illini inside. “It’s not on any one of our post players alone. It’s definitely a time we can step up and try to defend them as best we can.”

With her team at 2-1, Pingeton believes the Illini represent a fourth straight quality opponent.

“Jenna Smith is just a ton. And Penn is a tough matchup as well,” said Pingeton. “We’re going to be tested, but these girls enjoy playing that kind of competition. And I think we’ve got some pretty good athletes of our own, and they’re fierce competitors.

“I think we’ve proven to a lot of people we’ve got a good team. We’re still trying to get to that level of being a great team. We have to play this kind of competition to get that kind of respect at a national level.”

Senior Maggie Krick leads the Redbirds at 19.3 points per game with Bracey at 14.3 and 6-6 senior Nicolle Lewis at 11.7.

“I feel like we’re doing really well,” Bracey said. “We’re really focusing on being more locked in and focused on our game plan. Our energy and camaraderie as a team is great. I feel like we’re all on the same page.”

Normally a shooting guard, Krick spent a couple minutes in each half of ISU’s victory over South Dakota State last week at point guard.

“I don’t anticipate you will see a ton of it. It depends on what we need,” said Pingeton. “I definitely think it’s important to give her a little rep there in case we do need to go in that direction.

“Whether it be foul trouble, sickness or injury, you just never know. Maggie’s mindset is whatever it takes to help the team. It’s what she played in high school. She’s comfortable with it.”

Illinois leads the all-time series with ISU, 19-17. The Illini have won the last seven meetings.