Chambana Sun

Illinois will face the UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Nov. 28, marking the fourth straight season the Fighting Illini men's basketball team plays at the venue. This game is part of a two-year agreement between Illinois and UConn, with a return matchup scheduled for the 2026-27 season at Chicago's United Center.

Ticket sales details have not yet been released.

Head coach Brad Underwood continues to schedule high-profile non-conference games. Alongside UConn, Illinois will host Texas Tech at State Farm Center on Nov. 11, play Alabama at the United Center on Nov. 19—their first non-conference game there since 2017—renew a two-year series with Tennessee beginning in Nashville on Dec. 6, and continue their annual McBride Homes Braggin' Rights game against Missouri in St. Louis on Dec. 22.

Reflecting on last year's matchup between Illinois and UConn, the teams met in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament where UConn won before securing its second consecutive national championship. The Huskies lead the all-time series against Illinois, three games to one.

Illinois has played fifteen times at Madison Square Garden and holds a record of six wins and nine losses there. Under coach Underwood’s leadership, they are three and two at MSG, including ranked victories over Maryland (Jan. 26, 2019), Texas (Dec. 6, 2022), and Florida Atlantic (Dec. 5, 2023). Last season included a loss to Duke on Feb. 22.

The Illini return three starters from last year’s team that finished with twenty-two wins and reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round with a final kenpom ranking of seventeenth nationally. Over the past six years under Underwood’s tenure, Illinois has won more Big Ten games than any other team in that span and is one of only four programs nationwide to post six consecutive regular seasons with twenty or more wins.

"Illinois continues its build of a premier non-conference schedule, facing the UConn Huskies on Friday, Nov. 28 at Madison Square Garden to mark the Fighting Illini's return to 'The World's Most Famous Arena' for a fourth consecutive season."

"The Black Friday game is the beginning of a two-year series that also has Illinois taking on UConn during the 2026-27 season at the United Center in Chicago."

"Ticket sales information will be announced when available."

"Illinois had a top-10 rated schedule last year and has compiled another rigorous slate once again this season, a long-held philosophy of head coach Brad Underwood."

"In addition to the UConn game in New York City, the Illini host Texas Tech at State Farm Cener (Nov. 11), play Alabama in its first non-conference game at the United Center since 2017 (Nov. 19), have renewed a two-year series with Tennessee starting in Nashville (Dec. 6), and will continue the longstanding McBride Homes Braggin' Rights series versus Missouri in St. Louis (Dec. 22)."

"Illinois and UConn last met in the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight, won by the Huskies on its way to a second straight national championship. UConn leads the all-time series over the Illini, 3-1."

"Illinois has played 15 games all-time at Madison Square Garden, compiling a 6-9 record. The Illini are 3-2 at MSG during Underwood's tenure, which included three consecutive ranked wins over No. 13 Maryland (Jan. 26, 2019), No. 2 Texas (Dec. 6, 2022) and No.11 Florida Atlantic (Dec .5 ,2023) prior to last season's loss to No .3 Duke (Feb .22 ,2025)."

"Illinois returns three starters from a 22-win campaign ,NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance ,and final kenpom ranking of 17th last season .The Fighting Illini are the winningest team in Big Ten play over the last six years of the Underwood era and stand as one of just four teams nationally with six straight 20-win regular seasons."