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Fighting Illini basketball will return to the Big Apple in a few years. On Wednesday, the Big Ten Conference announced a series of "Super Saturday -- College Hoops & Hockey" doubleheader matchups at Madison Square Garden that span from 2017-2019. Illinois will face Maryland at the famous venue in 2019 ahead of a to-be-determined hockey game.
Illinois' last trip to Madison Square Garden was in December 2014 for the annual 'Jimmy V Classic'; the Illini were defeated by No. 7 Villanova, 73-59.
Doubleheader Schedule
Jan. 30, 2016
Men's Basketball: Michigan at Penn State
Hockey: Michigan at Penn State
Jan. 28, 2017
Men's Basketball: Wisconsin at Rutgers
Hockey: Wisconsin at Ohio State
Jan. 20, 2018
Men's Basketball: Ohio State at Minnesota
Hockey: Minnesota at Michigan State
2019
Men's Basketball: Illinois at Maryland
Hockey: TBD
Here's the full news release from the Big Ten Conference:
ROSEMONT, Ill. - With the inaugural "Super Saturday - College Hoops & Hockey" doubleheader set for Saturday, Jan. 30, in New York City, the Big Ten announced future matchups for 2017, 2018 and 2019, with six more men's basketball teams and the remaining four hockey programs scheduled to compete at legendary Madison Square Garden.
The doubleheader features conference competition on an annual basis in late January or early February, with nine different Big Ten institutions competing in men's basketball and/or hockey from 2016-19. On Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, Rutgers will host Wisconsin in men's basketball while Ohio State will take on the Badgers in hockey. On Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, Minnesota will entertain the Buckeyes on the court, while Michigan State will host the Gophers on the ice. In 2019, Maryland will face Illinois in men's basketball. The 2019 hockey matchup, times for 2017 and 2018 and date and times for 2019 will be announced at a later date.
The inaugural "Super Saturday - College Hoops & Hockey" doubleheader will feature Penn State and Michigan in both basketball and hockey on Saturday at The Mecca. The basketball game will tip at Noon ET, while the hockey game will begin at 7 p.m. BTN will air both contests. Tickets can still be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (866) 858-0008. Those interested in purchasing a suite for the doubleheader should contact Melinda Churchville of Madison Square Garden at (212) 465-6762.
The inaugural "Super Saturday - College Hoops & Hockey" doubleheader will feature Penn State and Michigan in both basketball and hockey on Saturday at The Mecca. The basketball game will tip at Noon ET, while the hockey game will begin at 7 p.m. BTN will air both contests. Tickets can still be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (866) 858-0008. Those interested in purchasing a suite for the doubleheader should contact Melinda Churchville of Madison Square Garden at (212) 465-6762.