Illinois releases hoops season schedule

By Courtney Linehan
August 22, 2005

Just over two months before the season officially gets underway, the Illini men’s basketball schedule was released Friday.

The 2005-06 season features another competitive schedule, including several teams’ fans will recognize from last year. Illinois will again face Arkansas, Georgetown and Oregon. The Illini are also heading to St. Louis for the annual Busch Braggin’ Rights game against Missouri.

The highlight of the season features two mostly new squads facing off in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Championship, when Illinois heads to North Carolina to take on the Tar Heels on Nov. 29.

“They have pretty much a totally new team and we have pretty much a totally new team, (so) I think it’ll be a big game for revenge, even though it shouldn’t be,” said redshirt-sophomore Brian Randle.

The season gets underway with the Orange and Blue Scrimmage on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The Illini will face Illinois Wesleyan and Quincy in exhibition games, before officially starting competition against South Dakota State on Nov. 18.

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“This non-conference schedule will be a challenge as we replace three starters in our lineup,” head coach Bruce Weber said in a press release. “We’ll have to be prepared to play in midseason form in November.”

The Big Ten season starts Jan. 5, when Illinois takes on Michigan State at Assembly Hall. The Big Ten Tournament is slotted for March 9-12 in Indianapolis.

“We’ll have to be ready once we get to Big Ten play because I anticipate the league being extremely tough this season.”

Illinois’ returning players are excited to get the season underway. Redshirt-freshman guard Calvin Brock said the second game of the season, against Texas-Pan America, will be a highlight for him. Brock’s godbrother, Johnathan Chatman, is on the Bronco’s squad.

“He went to high school with me, he’s a year ahead of me,” Brock said. “He plays there, so I’m looking forward to playing them.”

Brock said, however, that his anticipation for the North Carolina game is high.

“I can’t wait,” Brock said. “We’re going to their school, too.”