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Due to the State Farm Center's renovation schedule, the Illini now have a new home to play their first 5 games (Editor's note:) of 2015, as the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, IL has agreed to host the Illini for the month of November. Starting with an exhibition game on November 8th, the team will make three trips to cover games being played on November 8, 13, 15, 21,and 23. No ticket information has been released by the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA), but made note that ticket information would come "at a later date."
The team will be bringing the newly dried floor, baskets, scorer's table, and bench chairs along with them to try and re-create the closest atmosphere to the State Farm Center as possible. Capacity is roughly 7,700.
Coach Groce chimed in on the matter with nothing but support and excitement:
""Our administration was aggressive in seeking out a location that would serve as a true home away from home during the renovation of State Farm Center, and we have found an outstanding partner in the Prairie Capital Convention Center. They have cleared every date that we requested, allowing us to tailor our game schedule and minimize our travel. We're covering the five games in just three trips, going over first for an exhibition game and then twice where we'll play two games over three days, staying for practice on the days in between those games as well. We feel privileged to showcase Fighting Illini basketball in Springfield."
Read the official DIA article here.
(Hooray the court made it!)
Thanks to quick work by construction crew, @StateFarmCenter court has been reinstalled & is ready for play! #Illini pic.twitter.com/AP8rdvi8qj
— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniHoops) October 30, 2014
The #Illini are headed to Springfield, Ill. for 5 games in November 2015. Details here: http://t.co/K5l8jiixgu pic.twitter.com/CVe6WDWMlF
— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniHoops) October 30, 2014