Illinois Basketball: Illini set to play Syracuse in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

For the third time in four years, the Illinois basketball team will host the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The Illinois schedule is getting closer and closer to being finalized. It was announced Friday morning that the Illini will continue their November tradition of playing in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, as the Orange and Blue will host the Syracuse Orange on November 29 at the State Farm Center.

The Illini will have now hosted the Big Ten/ACC Challenge three out of the last four seasons, which included wins against Notre Dame and Duke. This game primarily takes place right before Big Ten play begins.

The Illinois basketball team looks to repeat as Big Ten regular-season champions.

Illinois won the Big Ten regular-season title during the 2021-2022 season, which was their first since 2005. With a lot of new faces, including Ty Rogers and Terrance Shannon Jr., the Illini will look to prove doubters wrong once again.

While Illinois has quite a few new faces coming in who will help the program, Syracuse does as well. Their class of 2022 ranked No. 18 in the country and included three four-star recruits, one of which is in the top 50 in Judah Mintz.

This should be a good matchup between the two orange programs. Illinois only has four returning scholarship players and Syracuse hasn’t had more than 18 wins in the last three seasons. This game could end up being a big momentum building for whatever program comes through with a victory.

For now, though, only time will tell.