Illinois Basketball Schedules Exhibition Blockbuster

Illinois has scheduled an exhibition outing against Kansas in Champaign on October 29. It was announced via a video on Illinois Basketball’s X (Twitter for those who care) account, showing Brad Underwood and Bill Self ‘agreeing’ to the game. The game will be broadcast on BTN, and the money will be sent to the relief efforts for the terrible wildfires in Maui. There is no shortage of storylines, even for a game that won’t count.

Return

This will mark the first time Bill Self has returned to the State Farm Center since he patrolled the sidelines. Self won two Big Ten titles and a Big Ten Tournament title in his time in Champaign. He is also considered mostly responsible for the construction of the legendary 2005 National Runner-Up before he left for Lawrence. It can be painful to watch a great coach leave. Even more so when he wins multiple national titles at his next school. However, hopefully time has healed the wounds and the Illini faithful can give a welcome reception to one of the best coaches in program history.

Revenge

Kansas sports a unanimous preseason top three roster. Two years removed from a national title, the Jayhawks have a ton of juice on the recruiting trail and got some big additions from the transfer portal as well. None bigger than former Big Ten public enemy number one Hunter Dickinson. The former Michigan man made the move to Kansas and will be looking for his first ‘win’ over the Illini. This one won’t count in the record books, but if you know Dickinson, he will want this one. Bonus points with it being in front of the Illinois fans he endeared himself to.

Respect

Illinois will not be in the preseason Top 25 for the first time in three years. There’s no way to tell if a good performance in this game could improve public perception of the 23-24 edition of the Fighting Illini, but it can’t hurt. Putting on a show against an expected national title contender would be great for confidence heading into the season.

Even more than that, one has to respect both programs coming together to make this happen. In a time where some schools shy away from blockbuster matchups and pad resumes with cupcakes, fans have to love something like this. It may not count, but everyone in the college basketball world will be watching. College basketball is at its best when the best, most exciting teams play each other. It’s even on a Saturday without the Illini football team playing! Say what you want, but Underwood has made Illinois into one of those teams. We’re a long way from playing New Mexico State in the United Center.