A portion of the Illini's 2015-16 non-conference schedule was released Monday afternoon. But don't expect to see any of these games in Champaign.
As you might remember, the Illini will be playing five of their non-conference home games in Springfield this season as the State Farm Center renovations are wrapped up back on campus. Springfield's Prairie Capital Convention Center will play host to four regular-season games and one exhibition game.
[MORE BIG TEN: Ex-Illini women's basketball players sue, alleging racial hostility]
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Here's the schedule:
— Nov. 8: Illini vs. Illinois-Springfield (exhibition)
— Nov. 13: Illini vs. North Florida
— Nov. 15: Illini vs. North Dakota State
— Nov. 21: Illini vs. Chattanooga
— Nov. 23: Illini vs. Chicago State
[MORE BIG TEN: Penn State adds UConn transfer Terrence Samuel]
There isn't much to be excited about as far as that small group of matchups goes, however two of those teams — North Florida and North Dakota State — were in the NCAA tournament this past spring.
News
The other games on the Illini's non-conference slate that have been announced include a Nov. 18 road trip to Providence and a Thanksgiving-weekend trip to the Emerald Coast Classic in Destin, Fla. That event will also feature Iowa State, Virginia Tech and UAB.
The renovated State Farm Center will host its first game on Dec. 2 as Illinois hosts Notre Dame as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.