WNIT matchup with Illinois State provides Wisconsin's Halle Douglass with 'full-circle moment'

MADISON – Halle Douglass wasn’t looking ahead, but she wondered what might be in store for her if Wisconsin advanced to the Super 16 of the WNIT.

Illinois State advanced the night before the Badgers’ historic comeback win over Southern Indiana. A Wisconsin win would set up a matchup with the Redbirds. Whether the game would be played in Normal, Illinois, or at the Kohl Center was anyone’s guess.

Count Douglass as one of the people happiest to find out UW would host the game.

“I didn’t really want to go play there,” the senior said. “That was a place that kind of brings up bad memories.”

Five games into Douglass’ junior season, she suffered a season-ending injury to her right knee in a loss at Illinois State. The injury sidelined her for a year and though she has been back in action since December, her recovery continues.

The next step for Douglass happens at 7 p.m. Thursday when the Badgers (14-16) host the Redbirds (22-11). The contest will be shown on Big Ten-plus and can be heard online at 1070thegame.iheart.com.

Douglass ready for 'full-circle' moment against Illinois State

For the record, Douglass is excited for the matchup.

“I think it will be a good game,” she said. “I just think for my knee’s sake it will be a full-circle moment, just to be back playing after a year when they were the team I got hurt against.”

Douglass has played in 23 straight games since making her season debut against Butler on Dec. 3. The 6-foot-2 guard averages 3.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 19.5 minutes per game.

The story of her comeback, however, is that it isn’t done. She may be back on the floor, but returning to form hasn’t been as simple as receiving clearance to play.

This season has been a crash course understanding the limits Douglass’ body will allow her to push it and on what days she’s allowed to go there.

There was about a two-week window from the time she received full clearance to play and when she made her season debut. Part of the recovery has been playing with pain and soreness, though that has progressively improved.

“I think at the beginning I was very hesitant with the way that I played and it took a while for me to really trust my knee,” she said. “I’d say at the point I’m at right now I’m finally trust my knee and I’m really getting back to where I was.”

Even with an evolving game, Douglass has made a positive impact on a team that was one of the youngest in the Big Ten. She can play inside or on the perimeter and though the sample size is small, she’s been a good three-point shooter.

One of her toughest challenges has been finishing inside, a facet of her game that should improve as she gains more trust in the joint and it gets stronger.

“I think she’s had moments when she’s felt really good and then maybe her knee Is a little sore and she has to take a little time,” Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley said. “But one of things that really speaks to her character is how she’s managed that both physically and emotionally each day to really bring the best version of herself to us.”

More: WNIT gives Brooke Schramek her final chance to play, Wisconsin basketball a chance to develop

Douglass shined versus Illinois, Penn State

With six wins, Wisconsin equaled its most successful conference season since 2011. Two of those wins were two of Douglass’ finer moments of the season.

With senior Brooke Schramek and freshman D'Yanis Jimenez out due to illness, Douglass played 30 minutes and finished with eight points and five rebounds in a victory at Illinois Jan. 7. When the Badgers rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Penn State at home Feb. 11, she hit all three of her shots, scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds while playing 13 of her 19½ minutes in the second half.

That’s just a taste of the impact she can have. A greater measure will come after she gets a spring and summer of work under her belt. She is set to return next season be it by COVID exemption or medical redshirt.

“I’m excited for this postseaon, but I’m excited to have an offseason where I can get back to where I was fully,” she said. “I think there are a lot of little things like finishing off my right leg or jumping and landing on that. Little things like that where if I work more times, spend more time on that I’m going to be a better basketball player. … I think the offseason will help me get back to fully who I was as a player, but for the most part I’ve done a pretty good job of playing the best I can for how I’m feeling.”

More: WNIT gives Brooke Schramek her final chance to play, Wisconsin basketball a chance to develop

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Full-circle moment' for Wisconsin's Halle Douglass in WNIT Super 16