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Illini basketball to play in Belgium, France in August

For the first time since 2011, Illinois is headed overseas to play some hoops.

By Brandon M. Cain
"Over there, over there, guys we're going to play over there."
"Over there, over there, guys we're going to play over there."
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball will play games in Belgium and France between Aug. 9-19, according to multiple reports. The Illini will play in Ghent, Belgium, Normandy and Paris. There will also be times reserved for players, coaches and their families to do sight-seeing.

This will be a great opportunity for Tracy Abrams and Michael Finke to get re-acclimated to the game after sitting out the 2014-15 season. The incoming recruiting class of Jalen Coleman-Lands, D.J. Williams, Aaron Jordan and Darius Paul will be traveling with the team as well.

Illinois last took a foreign trip in summer of 2011 when Bruce Weber took the team to Italy. Teams are allowed to take basketball programs on a foreign trip every four teams, per NCAA rules.

The Illini fell to Alabama on St. Patrick's Day, 79-58, in the opening round of the NIT to end their season with a 19-14 overall record in John Groce's fourth season at the helm.

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