Breaking down the 2023-24 Illinois basketball schedule

Earlier this week, the Big Ten announced the conference schedule for the 2023-24 season.

With the schedule now out, the Illinois basketball team looks to avoid disappointment similar to the previous three seasons – first-weekend loss at the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Illini went 11-9 in Big Ten play despite finishing atop the conference in 2021-22.

For the second straight season, Illinois begins and ends Big Ten play on the road. In early December, the Illini will travel to Piscataway, N.J., to face Rutgers. Perhaps this game was scheduled with the consideration that Illinois squares off against Florida Atlantic in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden three days later.

Following a handful of non-conference matchups, the Illini host Northwestern at the State Farm Center on January 2. Northwestern is one of seven Big Ten opponents the Orange and Blue will play both at home and on the road. Other teams include Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Rutgers.

There are three opponents Illinois will only play on the road which includes Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin. On the other hand, the Illini only play Minnesota, Nebraska and Indiana at home this season.

Illinois basketball is looking at double-digit Big Ten games against NCAA tournament teams

Illinois plays 12 league games against teams that participated in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. They alternate road and home dates over an eight-game stretch encompassed by matchups with Michigan.

Senior Night at the State Farm Center is set for March 5 versus Purdue while the Illini close out the regular season at Iowa on March 10. The Big Ten Tournament makes its debut in Minneapolis, set for March 13-17 at the Target Center.

Since 2019-20, Illinois has been the Big Ten’s winningest team in conference play. Head coach Brad Underwood has led the program to a 55-25 record. During this stretch, the Illini have made three straight NCAA tournament appearances. The Illini have also won at least 20 games in the last four seasons. The 55 conference wins are the most over a four-year stretch in school history.