GameThread: Illinois vs. McKendree University

I'm still having a hard time believing it myself, but the Illini are playing a basketball game tonight. It's only an exhibition game, but it will be our first chance to see this year's version of the Illini playing against another team. It'll also be a good chance to see where things stand at the moment in regards to what the starting lineup looks like, so while the game doesn't count, it means quite a bit.

Unfortunately it won't be televised live, though it will be shown on Big Ten Network on Friday at 11:30 am. If you want to watch it tonight you have to do it through the Big Ten Digital Network which costs $9.95 a month. Now, that may seem like a bit much, but you should know that it's the first of three games that will be broadcast on BTDN. So if you want to watch those games l live, you'll need to pay.

Then you just cancel the subscription as soon as that Bradley game ends. If you want to sign up, do so here.

If you don't want to sign up you can follow along with The Champaign Room on Twitter or here in the GameThread.

So forget all those other stupid sports that are on tonight -- what's a World Series? -- and hang out with us while we watch the Illini. Or just hang out and talk about the other sports. I don't really care.

We accept all of you. Even the sit down wipers.

Game tips at 7. Get ready, because basketball is here.

Also, we got a quick primer on McKendree right here if you want to know who the hell it is we're playing. They're not the pushover you might think.

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