Illinois Basketball: Illini 2023-24 non-conference schedule taking shape

The 2023-24 season hasn’t started yet, but the Illinois basketball non-conference schedule is starting to take shape.

Last season, the Illini struggled through the non-conference slate. After winning the first four games, one of which was over No. 8 UCLA, the Orange and Blue would go on to drop four out of the next nine games. This would leave us sitting with a 9-4 record heading into Big Ten play.

With a revamped team, Illinois looks to have a better non-conference result in 2023-24. While the full schedule hasn’t been released yet, single games are starting to trickle out as early-season tournaments are being set.

The Illinois basketball non-conference schedule looks to have some stout competition in 2023-24

According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, there are four non-conference games set for the Illini.

Game 1 – Marquette

Illinois takes on the Golden Eagles of Marquette in the Gavitt Games this upcoming season. Marquette won’t be an easy contest, as they finished last season 29-7 and ranked No. 14 in the country.

Game 2 – At Tennessee

The Volunteers always have a good program. Illinois will be taking on Tennessee on the road in 2023-24. Last season, Tennessee finished 25-11 overall and that was good enough to be ranked No. 16 in the nation.

Game 3 – Florida Atlantic

The Illini get to play in the Jimmy V Classic this upcoming season. We will be taking on the Cinderella story of the 2023 NCAA tournament, the Florida Atlantic Owls. The Owls finished 35-4 overall last season and ended up being ranked No. 5 in the final poll.

Game 4 – Missouri

Ah yes, the Braggin’ Rights game. While Missouri didn’t finish last season ranked, they did pummel the Illini. The Tigers would destroy Illinois by 22 points in the last matchup. This time around, there might be a little more motivation for the Orange and Blue.