Fans may notice something is missing from the Illini hoops schedule this season, leaving them asking, where are the big home games?
It's no secret Brad Underwood has worked hard at strengthening the Illini's non-conference schedule, from agreeing to home-and-home deals, and booking out the United Center or Madison Square Garden. It just so happens that excitement will be lacking at State Farm Center this year.
A large portion of this is luck of the draw; it's the Illini's turn to travel to Cameron Indoor and battle the Blue Devils, and they'll return the favor in 2028. The same goes for Texas Tech, who will also travel to Champaign in 2028. However, away games aren't the only hurdle Underwood's squad will face, as they meet North Carolina, Missouri, and UConn, for neutral site games. The good news is UConn is being hosted at the United Center, an arena accessible to many Illini fans.
Something fans can keep in mind is that this could potentially mean a loaded home non-con schedule for the 2027-2028 season. With a "blue blood" like Duke already scheduled for SFC, any extra addition would make for a good home schedule.
Just because Kansas or UConn isn't playing the Illini in Champaign doesn't mean there is nothing to look forward to. Penn will be meeting in Champaign on Thursday, Nov. 5, looking for a rematch to its first round NCAA tournament loss the Illini handed to them (and the return of Illini arch-nemesis Fran McCaffery). Sophomore David Mirkovic posted a career high 29 points against the Quakers, and is slated to return from a left foot surgery right in time for this game.
#return
It's no secret Brad Underwood has worked hard at strengthening the Illini's non-conference schedule, from agreeing to home-and-home deals, and booking out the United Center or Madison Square Garden. It just so happens that excitement will be lacking at State Farm Center this year.
A large portion of this is luck of the draw; it's the Illini's turn to travel to Cameron Indoor and battle the Blue Devils, and they'll return the favor in 2028. The same goes for Texas Tech, who will also travel to Champaign in 2028. However, away games aren't the only hurdle Underwood's squad will face, as they meet North Carolina, Missouri, and UConn, for neutral site games. The good news is UConn is being hosted at the United Center, an arena accessible to many Illini fans.
Something fans can keep in mind is that this could potentially mean a loaded home non-con schedule for the 2027-2028 season. With a "blue blood" like Duke already scheduled for SFC, any extra addition would make for a good home schedule.
Just because Kansas or UConn isn't playing the Illini in Champaign doesn't mean there is nothing to look forward to. Penn will be meeting in Champaign on Thursday, Nov. 5, looking for a rematch to its first round NCAA tournament loss the Illini handed to them (and the return of Illini arch-nemesis Fran McCaffery). Sophomore David Mirkovic posted a career high 29 points against the Quakers, and is slated to return from a left foot surgery right in time for this game.
#return
4 hours ago
