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The Illinois basketball program is poised to make big strides in 2026, and they will do it against a bevy of non-conference opponents with interesting backstories.
The Illini, who retained over 60% of their offense from a year ago, will have plenty of interesting matchups against teams from outside of the Big Ten. They will be tested on multiple occasions, especially when they face Duke on November 17 and UConn on December 4.
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It will be an interesting season for Brad Underwood and Co., as they try to make a run for the mountain top. But when it comes to their journey, what are some non-conference games to keep an eye on throughout their 2026-27 campaign?
Illinois basketball vs UConn Huskies – December 4, 2026 – United Center (Chicago)
There are plenty of games on the calendar this upcoming season that can bring about some kind of emotion from Illini fans, but when it comes to playing Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies, this series has become a little personal.
It has been a tough stretch for the Illinois basketball program, as we have fallen to the Huskies on three separate occasions. They haven’t been able to solve the mystery of Hurley’s squad, with their most embarrassing defeat being 77-52 in the 2024 NCAA tournament.
The Illini need to right the ship in 2026 against this program, especially with all of the momentum they have behind them leading up to the start of the season. If Illinois truly wants to be title contenders come March, then they need to show it against one of the top programs in the nation.
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Illinois basketball at Duke Blue Devils – November 17, 2026 – Cameron Indoor Stadium
The Duke Blue Devils are one of the most storied programs in all of college sports, with five national titles on their resume, which were won on legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s watch. They are a powerhouse both on the floor and in the stands, with Cameron Indoor Stadium being named one of the toughest places to play in the country.
When Illinois comes to town,…
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Publish date : 2026-07-10 00:10:00
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