Aug. 19, 2009

Champaign, Ill. -

2009-10 Illinois Men's Basketball Schedule in PDF Format

A challenging non-conference schedule and demanding Big Ten slate in what looks to be a banner year for the conference is on the docket for the Fighting Illini in 2009-10. Illinois will play a total of 18 home games at the Assembly Hall (16 regular season and two exhibition), and at least 14 games during the regular season against teams that participated in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

Season ticket renewals have been mailed and sent via e-mail. Season ticket holders can renew online at www.fightingillini.com, by mail, phone (1-866-ILLINI1 or 217-333-3470), fax (217-244-4170) or in person. The deadline for renewals is Friday, Sept. 4.

In addition, a limited number of C-level season tickets are now on sale for new season ticket holders. Those tickets can be purchased by phone or visiting the ticket office at the Assembly Hall North Box Office.

"We will face a very challenging schedule this season, there's no question," head coach Bruce Weber said. "I expect to see it ranked as one of the most difficult schedules in the country at the end of the year by the computer ratings. We know the Big Ten will be strong this season from top to bottom; there could be as many as seven teams in the Top 25. Add to that non-conference games against quality teams in various locations like Gonzaga at the United Center, Missouri in St. Louis, Vanderbilt, at Clemson and Georgia, and Utah along with Oklahoma State or Bradley in Las Vegas, and we will clearly be tested by a number of good teams at home, on the road and at neutral sites."

The Fighting Illini open the regular season with four consecutive home games vs. SIU-Edwardsville (Nov. 13), Northern Illinois (Nov. 17), Presbyterian (Nov. 21) and Wofford (Nov. 24). The latter two games are part of the Las Vegas Invitational. Illinois then departs for a Thanksgiving Weekend trip for the final two games of the Las Vegas Invite. The UI will face Utah Nov. 27 and either Oklahoma State or Bradley Nov. 28.

The Illini are on the road this year in the 11th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. In a rematch of last season's pairing, Illinois plays at Clemson Dec. 2.

A trio of home games follows, with the Illini hosting Boise State (Dec. 5), Vanderbilt (Dec. 8) and Western Michigan (Dec. 13).

At the conclusion of semester exams, the Illini travel to Duluth, Ga., to face Georgia Dec. 19, followed by a trip to St. Louis Dec. 23 for the 29th annual Busch Braggin' Rights vs. Missouri at the Scottrade Center.

After a weeklong holiday break, Illinois opens Big Ten play Dec. 30, hosting Northwestern. The final non-conference game of the season is set for Jan. 2 at the United Center in Chicago, as Illinois takes on Gonzaga.

Three of Illinois' first four conference games are at home, beginning with the previously mentioned Northwestern contest. The Illini host Iowa Jan. 5 and Penn State Jan. 12, with the only road trip coming at Indiana Jan. 9 in between the Iowa and Penn State games.

A daunting two-game stretch begins Jan. 16 in East Lansing, as Illinois faces NCAA Runner-Up Michigan State. The Illini return to Champaign to host NCAA Sweet 16 participant Purdue Jan. 19, the first day of spring semester classes on campus.

Up next are the same four opponents Illinois opened conference play against, with the sites reversed as the Illini have three out of four on the road at Northwestern (Jan. 23), Penn State (Jan. 27) and Iowa (Feb. 3) with the lone home game vs. Indiana Jan. 30.

Illinois' final eight games are against NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago. The Assembly Hall will be the focal point of all of college basketball on Feb. 6, as ESPN's College GameDay Driven by State Farm visits the UI campus to host a pair of shows prior to the Saturday Primetime Game of the Week featuring Illinois and Michigan State.

Illinois travels to Wisconsin Feb. 9 and returns to Champaign to face Ohio State Feb. 14. Another difficult stretch of playing three out of four games away from home looms, beginning with back-to-back road contests at Purdue (Feb. 20 or 21) and Michigan (Feb. 23). The Illini will host Minnesota Feb. 27 or 28 before wrapping up road play at Ohio State March 2, 3 or 4.

The regular season concludes March 6 or 7, with the Illini hosting Wisconsin on Senior Day at Assembly Hall. The Big Ten Tournament will be held March 11-14 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

All 18 of Illinois' Big Ten games will be televised again this season. The Illini will make at least four appearances on ESPN/ESPN2, two on CBS and eight on the Big Ten Network during conference play. TV information for Illinois' other four Big Ten games will be determined at a later date.

Illinois also will appear on ESPN vs. Clemson and ESPN2 vs. Missouri. Remaining non-conference game times and television information will be released when available.