Illinois basketball announces non-conference schedule

Illinois basketball announced their non-conference schedule for the 2017-18 season Thursday afternoon.

The Illini have 13 non-conference games scheduled, including nine at home in State Farm Center.

The Brad Underwood-era will kick off November 10 against Southern. Illinois’ first six games are in Champaign.

DePaul visits Illinois for the first matchup between the two schools since 1957.

Illinois’ first road game is at Wake Forest on Nov. 28 as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The last time these two programs met was in December 2004, when the No. 3 Illini crushed Chris Paul and the No. 1 Demon Deacons in Champaign by a final score of 91-73.

Neutral site games in the non-conference slate include a game against New Mexico State at the United Center in Chicago and the annual Braggin’ Rights game versus Missouri in St. Louis. Former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach Lou Henson will be honored at the game between the schools.

Illinois has never played non-conference opponents Southern, Tennessee-Martin, North Carolina Central or Grand Canyon in program history.

The conference schedule has not yet been released.