CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The University of Illinois men’s basketball team now has its full roadmap for the 2025–26 Big Ten season, as the conference released its official schedule Thursday.

The Illini will open Big Ten play on December 9 on the road against Ohio State, followed by their first conference home game December 13 vs. Nebraska at State Farm Center.

Illinois plays a 20-game conference slate that includes three home-and-away rivals—Maryland, Nebraska, and Northwestern—as well as seven teams they’ll face only at home (including Michigan, Indiana, and Oregon) and seven only on the road (including Purdue, UCLA, and USC).

“This is one of the toughest and most exciting Big Ten slates we’ve seen,” said head coach Brad Underwood. “We’re ready for it.”

The Illini will face eight teams that reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament and will make rare appearances at historic venues such as The Palestra in Philadelphia on January 3, and Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on February 21.

The season will mark the Illini’s eighth straight year playing a 20-game Big Ten schedule, now expanded to include the four new conference members: Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC.

Illinois enters the season with high expectations, returning three starters from a squad that reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round and finished with a 22–11 record and a final KenPom ranking of No. 17.

Student demand is sky-high—season tickets sold out in a record 18 minutes. Only a limited number of general public season tickets remain. Mini plans go on sale to I FUND members on Sept. 30, with single-game tickets following on Oct. 20.

Illinois will host Senior Night on March 3 vs. Oregon, and wrap up regular season play March 8 at Maryland. The Big Ten Tournament runs March 10–15 at the United Center in Chicago, and will feature all 18 teams for the first time.

For the full schedule and ticket info, visit fightingillini.com.