Illinois basketball non-conference schedule slowly taking shape

Illinois basketball is close to finalizing its 2025–26 non-conference slate, with all eleven opponents selected. The schedule features five power conference matchups and six buy games, shaping up to be one of the strongest non-conference schedules in the country.

Non-Conference Schedule (Subject to Finalization):

Nov. 3 vs. Jackson State
Nov. 7 vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Nov. 11 vs. Texas Tech
Nov. 14 vs. Colgate
Nov. 19 vs. Alabama (Chicago)
Nov. 22 vs. Long Island (MTE)
TBA vs. UTRGV (MTE)
Nov. 28 vs. UConn (New York City)
Dec. 6 vs. Tennessee (Nashville)
Dec. 22 vs. Missouri (St. Louis)
Dec. 28 vs. Southern

Another loaded non-conference slate.

This loaded non-conference schedule includes five high-major opponents: Texas Tech, UConn, Alabama, Tennessee, and Missouri. Texas Tech, Alabama, and Tennessee are all coming off Elite Eight appearances in the 2024–25 season.

Four of the eleven games will be played at neutral-site venues in major cities, including New York City, Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis, making it convenient for Illini fans to attend. The remaining games will be held at home inside the State Farm Center, including the season opener against Jackson State on November 3rd.

Illinois will also host a multi-team event (MTE) in Champaign featuring Long Island and UTRGV. The date for the UTRGV matchup is yet to be announced.

A marquee home game against Texas Tech on November 11th is expected to be the biggest home test of the non-conference schedule.

Another headline matchup will take place at the United Center in Chicago, where Illinois faces Alabama. This game marks the program’s return to the arena for the first time since playing Ohio State there in 2017. The United Center matchup brings back the tradition of Illinois basketball games in Chicago, with future matchups against Tennessee and possibly UConn expected in the coming years.

This non-conference slate will provide an early test for Illinois basketball and help prepare them for the grind of Big Ten play. An 8–3 finish before January would be a strong result, but every win over a power conference opponent will boost their NCAA Tournament seeding come March.

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