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Illinois basketball to rematch UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden

Can Illinois get some revenge on what was a beatdown in the 2024 NCAA tournament?

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12 months ago

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Illinois Basketball coach Brad Underwood
Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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.

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.

Mar 21. 2025. Raleigh, NC. USA. Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley. During the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners. Lenovo Center. Credit. Bob Donnan. Imagn Images.

 

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Kirkland is an expert source for Illinois athletics news. He is the lead Football analyst at Armchair Illini and has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.

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