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REPORT: Illinois Basketball to host DePaul in 2017 Gavitt Tip-off Games

The Fighting Illini are set to participate in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge.

By Jim Vainisi
NCAA Basketball: Michigan State at Illinois Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Another piece of Fighting Illini basketball’s upcoming non-conference schedule has been unveiled. According to FanRag Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Illinois will host the DePaul Blue Demons as part of the 2017 Gavitt Tip-off Games.

While both programs reside in the same state, Illinois and DePaul have not faced each other since December 1957. The Orange and Blue maintain a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series.

The Blue Demons have struggled in two seasons following the re-hiring of Dave Leitao. Over that timeframe, the team has recorded a mark of 18-45 (5-31), and they’ve failed to finish better than 9th place in the conference standings.

DePaul achieved an overall record of 9-23 (2-16) during the 2016-17 season. Eli Cain, a soon-to-be junior guard, led the team in scoring with 15.6 points per game. Chicago native Billy Garrett Jr. was another major contributor for the Blue Demons, however he’s set to graduate this Spring.

Illinois previously participated in this Big Ten vs. Big East challenge back in 2015, when the program traveled to Rhode Island for a matchup against a Kris Dunn-led Providence team.