After combing through the Fighting Illini’s newly released basketball schedule, it’s safe to say they will have their work cut out for them. The rebuilding Illini will have to claw their way through some tough stretches in order to redeem themselves from last year’s 19-loss season. Part of that will consist of at least 12 games against teams that participated in March Madness last year.

Illinois begins its season with a few easy home games, like most powerhouse conference teams do in order to build momentum and confidence (Dear God, please don’t let the Illini drop an early home game to Eastern Washington or Texas A&M; Corpus Christi like Kentucky did last year to Gardner-Webb).

Bruce Weber’s squad will have to maintain early-season focus, considering the third game of the regular season will take place in Nashville against Vanderbilt. Last year’s Commodores finished 26-8 overall and received a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, Vandy lost to Siena by 21 points in the first round. One bright spot for the Illini is that former Vanderbilt seniors Shan Foster (20.3 points per game) and Alex Gordon (10.8 points per game) graduated.

Then again, Illinois opponents are probably saying the same thing about an Illini team that lost a lot of frontcourt depth. Illinois won’t be able to turn to two of last season’s three top scorers in Shaun Pruitt and Brian Randle.

The Illini will also participate in the South Padre Island Invitational, which could be a big trap. Don’t sleep on Kent State, and Illinois could also end up playing Texas A&M; or Tulsa as well.

Personally, I’m excited for this season’s 10th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Yes, the ACC destroys the Big Ten every year, but I have a good feeling about this season’s matchups. The Illini will host Clemson in an “Orange-Out” at Assembly Hall on Dec. 2. Illinois will have to contain K.C. Rivers, who averaged 14.7 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game last season. Clemson suffered a first-round upset to Villanova in last year’s NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed. This game could be key, and it could help restore some Big Ten pride and respect from the rest of the country … maybe.

The schedule-makers didn’t do Bruce Weber any favors to start the Big Ten season. Illinois opens up conference play at Purdue on Dec. 30, one of the popular choices to win the Big Ten. The Boilermakers went 25-9, but were ousted in the second round of the NCAA Tournament by Xavier last year. Purdue is a very young team, so they’ll be a Big Ten power for at least the next few years. Illinois will have to limit sophomores E’Twaun Moore and Robbie Hummel, the leading scorers for Purdue last season.

The Illini will get a second crack against Purdue on Feb. 8 at Assembly Hall. But that re-match will be only three days after a difficult game at the Kohl Center against Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin Badgers, the defending Big Ten Champs.

This season’s schedule is definitely manageable. The Illini might even be able to surprise a few teams this year. I’ve seen stranger things happen. I mean, who was honestly expecting a Rose Bowl appearance for Zook’s crew last season?

Games to Watch

11/20 at Vanderbilt

Nashville, Tenn.

12/2 vs. Clemson (Big 10/ACC Challenge) Assembly Hall,6:30 p.m. ESPN2

12/6 vs. Georgia

United Center, Chicago

12/23 vs. Missouri (Braggin’Rights Game) Scottrade

Center, St. Louis

12/30 at Purdue (Big 10 opener) West Lafayette, Ind., 6:30 p.m. ESPN2

Ryan Dixon is a senior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]