Illinois is bracing for a demanding 2025-26 men’s basketball campaign, anchored by a non-conference schedule stacked with marquee matchups.
Following a frustrating conclusion to the 2024-25 season, the program is looking to regain momentum reminiscent of its Elite Eight run two years prior. HC Brad Underwood’s intent is clear: test his team early and often with high-profile opponents, including a headline clash against national contenders, to prepare for the battles that await in Big Ten play.
This strategy continues to form, as on Thursday, June 5, it was reported that the Illini have added a home-and-home series against Texas Tech, which made the Elite Eight last year.
Brad Underwood, Illinois Begin 2025-26 Season Against National Contenders
Illinois men’s basketball is gearing up for a high-stakes 2025-26 season, stacked with marquee non-conference matchups and a rigorous Big Ten slate. Head coach Brad Underwood has retained key contributors from last year’s squad and added new talent aimed at pushing the program back toward the Elite Eight.
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Thursday that Illinois will add a home-and-home series with Texas Tech. The first meeting is scheduled for November 11 in Champaign, with the return game in Lubbock set for the 2026-27 season.
Illinois’ 2025-26 non-conference schedule:
Texas Tech
Alabama (Chicago)
UConn (MSG)
Tennessee (Nashville)
Missouri (St. Louis)25 of the Illini’s 31 regular season games will be against power conference opponents. https://t.co/FJk0BVe0ya
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 5, 2025
“NEWS: Illinois and Texas Tech will start a home-and-home series on November 11th in Champaign,” Rothstein shared on X in the original post. He quoted the same post with the updated non-conference schedule for the Big Ten team.
“Texas Tech… Alabama (Chicago)… UConn (MSG)… Tennessee (Nashville)… Missouri (St. Louis)… 25 of the Illini’s 31 regular-season games will be against power conference opponents,” Rothstein elaborated.
Texas Tech enters the season as a top-10 program, having reached the Elite Eight and finishing No. 8 in the final AP Top 25 last year. The Red Raiders have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in four of the past five seasons and are once again expected to be a national contender.
Illinois won’t have much breathing room after that opener. Eight days later, on November 19, the Illini host another top-25 team in Alabama, followed by a neutral-site showdown against reigning national champion UConn at Madison Square Garden on November 28.
Then comes a December 6 matchup with Tennessee, another projected top-25 squad, in Nashville. The annual rivalry game against Missouri will again be held in St. Louis.
This challenging stretch isn’t accidental. With 25 of its 31 regular-season games against power conference opponents, Illinois is clearly focused on building one of the strongest résumés in the country.
The non-conference gauntlet is designed to sharpen the team before the brutal Big Ten schedule, which includes 20 league games and home-and-away matchups with Maryland, Nebraska, and Northwestern.
After a 22-win campaign and a Round of 32 NCAA Tournament appearance, Illinois is determined to make a deeper run. The high-level early tests will play a key role in defining the team’s national standing and postseason trajectory.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
