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Illinois basketball has officially announced their first five ‘home' games of the 2015-16 season. The surprisingly tough opening slate includes matchups against two reigning conference champions and NCAA Tournament participants. Due to the ongoing renovations of the State Farm Center, these games will be played at Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, IL.
Here are the five games and dates that were just announced:
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Nov. 8 vs. Illinois-Springfield (Exhibition)
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Nov. 13 vs. North Florida
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Nov. 15 vs. North Dakota State
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Nov. 21 vs. Chattanooga
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Nov. 23 vs. Chicago State
Illinois will open their 2015-16 regular season on November 13th against North Florida--they're the defending Atlantic Sun Conference champions.
North Dakota State had previously announced this matchup via their Twitter, but we now have confirmation from Illinois. The Bison went 23-10 during the 2014-15 season to clinch a second consecutive Summit League Championship.
The two games against Chattanooga and Chicago State will be played as part of the Emerald Coast Classic.
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Here's everything we currently know about Illinois' 2015-16 schedule (does not include preseason trip to Europe):
Non-Conference:
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Nov. 8 vs. Illinois-Springfield (Exhibition)
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Nov. 13 vs. North Florida
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Nov. 15 vs. North Dakota State
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Nov. 18 @ Providence (B1G vs. Big East Challenge)
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Nov. 21 vs. Chattanooga (Emerald Coast Classic)
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Nov. 23 vs. Chicago State (Emerald Coast Classic)
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Nov. 27 vs. UAB (Emerald Coast Classic)
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Nov. 28 vs. Iowa State/Virginia Tech (Emerald Coast Classic)
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Dec. 2 vs. Notre Dame (B1G/ACC Challenge)
Conference:
Home Only: Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue
Away Only: Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State
Both Home and Away: Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio State, Rutgers, Wisconsin
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