Illinois basketball to co-host MTE with Missouri State in 2025 Season

College basketball analyst Rocco Miller (@RoccoMiller8) reported on X last week that Illinois basketball will co-host a Multi-Team Event (MTE) with Missouri State during the upcoming season.

Although the Illini and Missouri State will not face each other in the event, both programs will host Long Island University and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

Illinois is scheduled to host Long Island on Saturday, November 22. The date for their game against UTRGV has yet to be announced, but it is expected to take place on either November 24 or 25 based on previous scheduling patterns. Missouri State will host Long Island on November 24, with their matchup against UTRGV also pending a finalized date.

This marks the third consecutive season that Illinois will host an MTE at State Farm Center. Head coach Brad Underwood has long advocated for hosting such events, particularly after a disappointing 0–3 showing at the 2018 Maui Invitational and going 1–1 in both the Hall of Fame Classic (Kansas City) and Continental Tire Main Event (Las Vegas).

With these two additional games, Illinois’ 2025–26 non-conference schedule is nearly complete. So far, eight of the potential eleven non-conference opponents have been publicly confirmed.

Confirmed 2025–26 Non-Conference Games:

• 11/3: Jackson State
• 11/11: Texas Tech
• 11/19: Alabama (United Center)
• 11/22: Long Island
• 11/28: UConn (Madison Square Garden)
• 12/6: Tennessee (Bridgestone Arena)
• 12/22: Missouri (Enterprise Center)
• TBA: UTRGV

Illinois basketball currently has five power conference opponents scheduled and could potentially add a sixth. At least five “bye games” at State Farm Center against low-major programs are also expected to round out the non-conference slate.

Sources: Illinois and Missouri State will co-host a Multi-Team Event (MTE) that includes two home games each. Hosting both UTRGV and LIU.

Dates for Vaqueros’ road tilts are TBA. LIU is at Illinois on 11/22 and at Missouri State on 11/24.#B1G#CUSA#SouthlandStrong#NEC

— Rocco Miller (@RoccoMiller8) July 1, 2025

 _____________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading Armchair Illini! The Armchair team proudly announces that Feedspot has named us a top-10 Illinois news source! Please continue to support us by checking out our original apparel here. 

Above all, for feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at alexkyi13@gmail.com. Additionally, please use our Seatgeek code for $20 off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around.

Finally, subscribe to our newsletter here! Go Illini