Kwa Jones Director of Recruiting and Scouting | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Kwa Jones Director of Recruiting and Scouting | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois has unveiled its non-conference schedule for the upcoming men's basketball season, featuring notable matchups against high-major teams and several NCAA Tournament participants. The schedule includes games against a Final Four team and two Elite Eight teams.
The Fighting Illini will begin their 2024-25 campaign on November 4 by hosting Eastern Illinois. This marks the third consecutive year that Illinois will face Eastern Illinois on opening night. The team will continue with home games against SIU-Edwardsville on November 8 and Oakland on November 13. Notably, Oakland defeated Kentucky in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament.
On November 20, Illinois will travel to Birmingham to play Alabama, a Final Four participant from last season, in the C.M. Newton Classic.
Returning to Champaign, Illinois will host Maryland-Eastern Shore on November 23 and Arkansas-Little Rock on November 25. A significant matchup awaits them in Kansas City against Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day, which CBS will broadcast at 3 p.m. CT after an NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
On December 14, Tennessee visits State Farm Center for a return game following last year's meeting in Knoxville. Both teams reached the Elite Eight last season.
The annual McBride Homes Braggin' Rights game against Missouri is set for December 22 in St. Louis. Illinois aims to retain its trophy after defeating Missouri last year with a score of 97-73.
The non-conference schedule concludes with a home game against Chicago State on December 29 before heading into Big Ten play.
In February, during Big Ten competition, Illinois will face Duke at Madison Square Garden as part of the SentinelOne Classic aired by FOX. Duke also reached the Elite Eight last season.
Illinois boasts a strong record under Head Coach Brad Underwood with three Big Ten titles over four seasons and ranks as the conference's most successful team over five years with a record of 69-31.
Fans can stay updated through social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook via @IlliniMBB for more information about Fighting Illini Men's Basketball activities.
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