Males’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Introduced

Non-Conference Schedule | Ticket Information

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois has unveiled its accomplished 2025-26 non-conference schedule, highlighted by 5 video games towards high-major opponents who competed within the 2025 NCAA Tournament and that includes a trio of reigning Elite Eight individuals.

After internet hosting Illinois State in an exhibition recreation on Sunday, Oct. 19, the Fighting Illini formally tip off the season at dwelling on Nov. 3, dealing with Jackson State on opening evening.

That begins a four-game homestand adopted by Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Nov. 7, a marquee contest at State Farm Center towards returning Elite Eight squad Texas Tech on Nov. 11, and wrapping up with Colgate on Friday, Nov. 14, the evening earlier than Illinois Football’s dwelling recreation towards Maryland.

On Nov. 19, Illinois heads to Chicago to play an everyday season non-conference recreation on the United Center for the primary time since 2017, taking over Elite Eight participant Alabama.

The Illini then return to Champaign for a pair of video games, versus Long Island on Saturday, Nov. 22 and UT-Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 24.

Illinois will play at Madison Square Garden for the fourth consecutive season, going up towards UConn on Black Friday, Nov. 28, in New York City. UConn gained back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2023 and 2024, and superior to the Round of 32 final season.

Following a home-and-home collection with Tennessee, Illinois has signed an extra two-game settlement with the Vols. It begins with a contest this season in Nashville on Saturday, Dec. 6, the place the Illini will face the reigning Elite Eight group.

The Illini are in St. Louis on Dec. 22, battling Missouri within the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights recreation. Illinois will look to retain the Braggin’ Rights trophy for the third yr in a row towards the Tigers, who’re coming off an NCAA Tournament look.

Illinois closes out the calendar yr at dwelling towards Southern on Dec. 29.

Illinois’ Big Ten dwelling schedule contains the next 10 groups: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington and Wisconsin.

The Illini will make league highway journeys, in the meantime, to Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA and USC.

The full Big Ten schedule can be launched at a later date.

Illinois returns three starters from a 22-win marketing campaign, NCAA Tournament Second Round look, and ultimate kenpom rating of 17^th final season. The Fighting Illini are the winningest group in Big Ten play over the past six years of the Underwood period and stand as one among simply 4 groups nationally with six straight 20-win common seasons.