 |  |  |
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team continue to add to its ridiculous non-conference schedule, with a game against North Carolina officially announced earlier today.
The Illini will be playing North Carolina in a neutral-site game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 30, 2027.
Illinois played in Nashville last season, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers on December 6, 2025. Of course, Tomislav Ivisic made this victory even more memorable, smashing the acoustic guitar presented to the Illini after the game. For me, this game was when I realized Keaton Wagler was not going to be around Champaign for more than one season
The Illini will be playing North Carolina in a neutral-site game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 30, 2027.
Illinois played in Nashville last season, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers on December 6, 2025. Of course, Tomislav Ivisic made this victory even more memorable, smashing the acoustic guitar presented to the Illini after the game. For me, this game was when I realized Keaton Wagler was not going to be around Champaign for more than one season
| | |
In addition to North Carolina, Illnois has non-conference games scheduled for next season against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, and versus UCONN at the United Center in early December.
Illinois and North Carolina have not played since the 2010-11 season, when the Illini defeated the Tar Heels at the Assembly Hall as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Illinois won three of four games against North Carolina during the old Big Ten/ACC Challenge, with victories in 2002, 2005 and 2010. Of course, Illinois lost to UNC in Greensboro as part of the 2003 Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and we all know what happened during the 2005 National Championship Game.
Illinois and North Carolina are 4-4 against each other in the eight all-time meetings between the two programs, with next January's game a chance for the Illini to take the series lead. Of course, Illinois nearly met Carolina in the second round of last year's tournament before the Tar Heels blew a big lead late in the second half against VCU.
Here are seven of the eight meetings between the two programs. Unfortunately, I do not have footage of the first game between the schools, an 86-66 Illinois victory at Huff Gym on Thursday, December 20, 1951. :-)
Illinois and North Carolina have not played since the 2010-11 season, when the Illini defeated the Tar Heels at the Assembly Hall as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Illinois won three of four games against North Carolina during the old Big Ten/ACC Challenge, with victories in 2002, 2005 and 2010. Of course, Illinois lost to UNC in Greensboro as part of the 2003 Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and we all know what happened during the 2005 National Championship Game.
Illinois and North Carolina are 4-4 against each other in the eight all-time meetings between the two programs, with next January's game a chance for the Illini to take the series lead. Of course, Illinois nearly met Carolina in the second round of last year's tournament before the Tar Heels blew a big lead late in the second half against VCU.
Here are seven of the eight meetings between the two programs. Unfortunately, I do not have footage of the first game between the schools, an 86-66 Illinois victory at Huff Gym on Thursday, December 20, 1951. :-)
| | |
| | |
| | |
RSS Feed