Illini announce five non-conference games to be played in Springfield

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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.

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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

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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.

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.

 

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