This Big Ten basketball program has zero true road games in 2025-26 originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Illinois Fighting Illini have unveiled their full 2025-26 non-conference schedule, and it’s a slate that keeps the team close to home while still providing plenty of high-level tests. The announcement highlights a mix of mid-major tune-ups, marquee national matchups, and neutral-site showdowns, all without a single true road game.
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The schedule at a glance
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Illinois tips off with an Oct. 19 exhibition against in-state rival Illinois State before officially opening the season on Nov. 3 vs. Jackson State in Champaign. The Illini will then play their first four regular-season games at home:
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Nov. 7 – Florida Gulf Coast (FGCU)
After that, the schedule ramps up:
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Nov. 19 – Alabama (United Center, Chicago)
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Nov. 22 – Long Island (home)
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Nov. 28 – UConn (Madison Square Garden, NYC, Black Friday showcase)
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Dec. 6 – Tennessee (Nashville)
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Dec. 22 – Missouri (Braggin’ Rights in St. Louis)
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Dec. 29 – Southern (home, non-conference finale)
The Big Ten schedule has yet to be released, but this non-conference lineup already ensures Illinois will be battle-tested heading into league play.
Big games and national tests
Illinois’s non-conference slate is headlined by four high-profile opponents:
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Texas Tech (Nov. 11) – A rugged Big 12 power that adds an early NCAA Tournament-level test.
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Alabama (Nov. 19) – A neutral-site clash in Chicago against one of the SEC’s premier programs.
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UConn (Nov. 28) – The Black Friday matchup at Madison Square Garden is arguably the marquee game, pitting Illinois against a recent national champion.
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Tennessee (Dec. 6) – A trip to Nashville to face Rick Barnes’ physical Vols makes for another SEC measuring stick.
Add in the annual Braggin’ Rights rivalry with Missouri, and Illinois faces at least five likely NCAA Tournament teams before the Big Ten even tips off.
Looking back: the 2024-25 Illini
The 2024-25 season reinforced Illinois’s identity as a steady national contender under Brad Underwood:
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Finished 22–13 overall and 12–8 in the Big Ten, good for 7th place in a deep league.
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Earned a #6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, defeated Xavier in the opening round, before falling to Kentucky.
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Marked the sixth straight 20-win season and fifth consecutive NCAA appearance, underscoring consistency at the top level.
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Welcomed back big man Tomislav Ivišić and added his twin brother Zvonimir, a transfer from Arkansas—giving Illinois its first pair of rostered twins since 1956.
The Illini also saw seven players average at least 7.0 PPG, reflecting a balanced approach that should carry over into 2025-26.
Brad Underwood: building for the long haul
Head coach Brad Underwood has become synonymous with Illinois basketball’s return to national relevance:
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Record: 165–101 overall at Illinois.
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Achievements: Big Ten regular-season title (2022), two Big Ten Tournament championships (2021, 2024), and a 2024 Elite Eight run.
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Stability: In May 2025, Underwood signed an extension through 2031, securing him as the program’s long-term architect.
Underwood’s philosophy of testing his team early is evident in this schedule. He’s not afraid of marquee opponents, even if they aren’t true road contests, knowing resume-boosting wins in November and December can make a huge difference in March seeding.
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What it means for 2025-26 and the Big Ten
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Home Comforts: With no true road games, Illinois avoids hostile environments early, letting a roster with new pieces gel in more favorable settings.
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Resume Builders: Games against UConn, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas Tech could all serve as Quadrant 1 opportunities on the NCAA sheet.
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Momentum for Big Ten Play: If Illinois can emerge 9–2 or better from this stretch, they’ll enter conference action positioned as a top-tier Big Ten challenger.
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National Spotlight: Appearances at Madison Square Garden and in Nashville ensure Illinois maintains visibility outside the Midwest.
Final thoughts
The 2025-26 Illinois non-conference schedule strikes a balance between comfort and challenge: no true road games, but several national-caliber opponents that will sharpen the Illini for Big Ten play. Coming off another NCAA Tournament season and with Brad Underwood locked in long-term, Illinois looks well-positioned to sustain its momentum.
For Illini fans, the message is clear: expect a steady diet of home wins, a few national showdowns, and plenty of anticipation for how this group stacks up when Big Ten play arrives.
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