The Illinois men’s basketball team released its nonconference schedule Monday morning. Many of the teams on the schedule are ones the Illini haven’t played in some time, with majority of games played at the State Farm Center. 

Illinois begins the season with an exhibition game on Oct. 23 against an unlisted opponent that will be announced later. The second exhibition game will be at the State Farm Center Oct. 29 against Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The regular season starts off on Nov. 9 against Jackson State and then Arkansas State Nov. 12. Illinois has a 5-0 all-time record playing Jackson State, and the two teams last played each other in November 2013 in Champaign, while the Illini have never played Arkansas State. 

Illinois then travels up to Milwaukee to play Marquette Nov. 15. The Illini holds an all-time 9-5 record against the Golden Eagles, and the last time the two played was in December 1993 where Marquette won 74-65. 

Up next on the schedule is the Hall of Fame Classic where Illinois will play Cincinnati Nov. 22. Illinois has a 3-1 record against Cincinnati with the last matchup dating back to Dec. 31, 2004. Illinois then plays either Arkansas or Kansas State Nov. 23, depending on how the Cincinnati game goes. Illinois is 5-0 against Arkansas, and the two teams last played in 2004. Illinois is 8-2 against Kansas State and last played the Wildcats in December 2000.

After a bout of away and neutral site games, Illinois will finish off its nonconference schedule going back to State Farm Center and one more neutral site game for Braggin’ Rights.

The Illini next play Texas-Rio Grande Valley Nov. 26; Texas-Rio Grande Valley is not listed in the record book, but Illinois last played its predecessor, UT-Pan American in 2005. 

In the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Illinois is scheduled to play Notre Dame Nov. 29. Illinois narrowly lost to Notre Dame in November 2018 in that year’s Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Illinois plays Arizona Dec. 11 in Champaign and St. Francis (Pennsylvania) on Dec. 18. Illinois has not played St. Francis and has a 6-9 record against Arizona. The two teams last played in November 2019 in Tucson, and Arizona blew out Illinois 90-69.

Illinois next travels to St. Louis for the annual Braggin’ Rights game Dec. 22, which the Illini have not won since 2017, but however still lead the series with a 32-19 record.

The Illini wrap up the nonconference schedule Dec. 29 in Champaign against Florida A&M. Illinois is 2-0 against Florida A&M, and the two teams last played in November 2006.

@obrien_clairee 

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