Illinois Basketball Finalizing Agreement to Play Blue Blood Program

Illinois Basketball Finalizing Agreement to Play Blue Blood Program

Per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Illinois Basketball is finalizing an agreement to play Duke Basketball at Madison Square Garden. The dates of the game are to be determined, however, this just confirms that Illinois Basketball is back on the national stage. For the past few years, Illinois Basketball has had Marquee games on a national stage. Two years ago, they played number two ranked, Texas, at Madison Square Garden and won. Also, they played UCLA and Virginia in a notable neutral-court game.

During the 2023-2024 season, they played FAU at MSG, a team that had just made the Final Four. Afterward, they played Tennessee on the road. This was a nationally televised game that garnered national media attention.

The last time Illinois played Duke?

Illinois Basketball last played Duke during the 2020-2021 season. Though Duke was not the usual “Duke Basketball”, Illinois Basketball dominated that game led by Ayo Dosunmu. The Blue Blood program looked inferior to the experienced Illinois Basketball squad. Dosunmu put up 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists in a thoroughly dominant performance for Illinois.

Happy Monday to everyone especially Ayo and Giorgi, hope Coach K is having a mediocre first Monday of retirement pic.twitter.com/3ToLlu84ov

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) April 4, 2022

Brad Underwood has done a great job scheduling tough teams during the non-conference season. As it stands right now, the Illini will play Duke and nationally touted Tennessee. Once again, Rick Barnes and the Volunteers look to be a bonafide top 15 program that Brad Underwood and his crew will get a crack at early in the season.

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