State Farm Center | University of Illinois Fighting Illini
State Farm Center | University of Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois has announced a new home-and-home series with Texas Tech, a team from the Big 12 conference. The Fighting Illini will host the Red Raiders on November 11 at the State Farm Center. This will be the first meeting between these two programs. A return game is scheduled in Lubbock, Texas, during the 2026-27 season.
This arrangement marks the third such series with a power-5 program under Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, following previous matchups against Arizona and Tennessee. Last season, Texas Tech achieved a record of 28-9 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Illinois had a top-10 rated schedule last year and is assembling another challenging lineup for this season. The team will also compete against Alabama, another Elite Eight participant from last year, on November 19 at the United Center in Chicago.
The Fighting Illini are coming off a successful season with 22 wins and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. They ended with a final KenPom ranking of 17th. Under Coach Underwood's leadership, Illinois has been the most successful team in Big Ten play over the past six years and is one of only four teams nationally to achieve six consecutive seasons with at least 20 regular-season wins.
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