A year later, the events within the game that introduced Ashley Adams to the Big Ten are more of a blur than a memory.

However, the feeling that the then-freshman took into that game against Illinois remain vivid.

“I don’t really remember the game,” Adams said. “I do know that was the first game I played quite a bit. It was exciting and kind of scary, too. I didn’t want to be the one that messed up.”

The opportunity arose after senior starter Sarah Schulze suffered a knee injury. The 6-foot-5 Adams came off the bench in Champaign, Ill., and stunned the Illini with a 13-point, nine-rebound performance that included five blocks and three assists.

She would start the final 16 games of the season and be central to a February rally that allowed the Buckeyes to win a third consecutive Big Ten Tournament title and reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

At the start of the current season, Adams was listed as a returning starter with guards Samantha Prahalis and Tayler Hill. The designation really didn’t fit.

The graduation of All-America center Jantel Lavender moved Adams from the fifth scoring option to the third behind Prahalis and Hill.

Defenses that paid little attention to Adams as a freshman suddenly are focused on her. Throw in a new perimeter-based offense to learn, and Adams has had an up-and-down time even as the 10th-ranked Buckeyes (18-1, 5-1) have flourished.

“I don’t think I’ve had very many good games lately,” Adams said. “I have no real clue why. I just feel like we’re playing against good teams now. But hopefully I’ll start.”

Adams was good in Thursday night’s 82-68 win over No. 20 Nebraska. She posted her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. She also blocked five shots.

She hopes to carry the momentum from that performance into today’s game against Illinois (6-13, 0-6) in Value City Arena.

“I think when I have a good game, it makes a couple of games after that easier for me,” Adams said.

Coach Jim Foster remembers what Adams did for the team last season. He isn’t unhappy with what she has produced so far.

“She’s doing great,” Foster said. “Her field-goal percentage is climbing. Her rebounds are climbing. She just had a double-double with five blocks. She’s the center. That’s a great line.”

Foster also understands why Adams has been frustrated at times.

“We’re very early in the season and we’re playing a different style,” he said. “All of the players have had to learn it. Some are starting to figure it out. She would be in that category.”

That includes defense, Foster said.

“Eventually you figure out that if you’ve got to guard the perimeter, you’ve got to get there,” he said. “We work on that every day. We play four-on-five. Four have to guard five. That means our post players have to move. It forces you to be a better player.”

jmassie@dispatch.com