Illinois basketball to rematch UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden

Illinois Basketball is set for an intriguing rematch with an all-too-familiar powerhouse.

According to Jon Rothstein, Brad Underwood and the Illini will face Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies on Black Friday at Madison Square Garden — a chance for redemption after the Huskies dismantled Illinois 77-52 in the 2024 Elite Eight en route to UConn’s dominant march to their second consecutive national title.

Now, Illinois gets holiday weekend spotlight — a marquee non-conference matchup in one of basketball’s most iconic venues, with the potential for a massive holiday audience. It’s a golden opportunity for the Illini to respond — and just maybe, get even.

NEWS: UConn and Illinois are finalizing an agreement to meet on November 28th — Black Friday — at MSG, according to multiple sources.https://t.co/ofUdbISCWU

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 2, 2025

Redemption on the Table for Illinois Basketball

With a hefty national audience likely tuning in over Thanksgiving weekend, this game sets the stage for Illinois to claim some early mojo heading into the holidays and the beginning of Big Ten play. Both teams are expected to land in the upper tier of preseason rankings, making this a potentially highly anticipated top-25 clash.

UConn steamrolled Illinois out of the gym in the 2024 Elite 8 with a stunning 30-0 second-half run, sending a hot Illini squad led by Terrence Shannon Jr. home to Champaign, and sending the Huskies on their way to the program’s sixth national championship. A win in New York wouldn’t erase that memory, but it could knock a chip off Brad Underwood’s shoulder — and mark a signature early-season win that boosts Illinois’ resume and confidence.

With several new faces set to play major roles for the Illini, this matchup may also serve as an early litmus test for how quickly Underwood’s squad of Euro additions, transfers, and current (but few) roster retentions is coming together.