Illinois basketball is just over two months away from starting what should be a great 2024-25 campaign.
The Illini loaded up this offseason with new pieces that should be able to get this program back to at least the Elite 8 this upcoming season. We also learned when and where Illinois’ non-conference games will be held just days ago as well.
On Thursday, Illinois fans learned the details of another game. I would argue, it is the most important game of the season.
The Illinois basketball social media account posted the details for the exhibition game against Ole Miss. This game is for charity on Sunday, October 27. It will take place in Oxford, Mississippi, and will start at 1:00 p.m. CT.
Good competition for a great cause.#Illini | #HTTO | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/6e8VVVXRlW
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) August 22, 2024
These two teams will help raise money for CASA of North Mississippi. On the CASA of North Mississippi website, their mission statement states:
“CASA of North Mississippi advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children through the service of trained, court-appointed community volunteers.”
And in their donation section, they state:
“Every dollar that you choose to donate to CASA of North Mississippi gives a child in foster care the powerful voice of a dedicated CASA volunteer. CASA volunteers are extensively trained and supported by professional staff in order to represent the best interests of children in foster care in Lafayette and Lee Counties. Your donation gives these children a voice in court, at school, and in our community.”
This will be a good gelling game for the Illinois basketball team as we enter the 2024-25 season
The most important thing in all of this exhibition game is raising funds for kids in need. According to a US News and World Report published in May, Mississippi ranks No. 1 in the United States in poverty rate at 19.1%, which includes an economic opportunity rank of No. 50. The fewer funds in the state, the fewer opportunities for people, the fewer chances they have in life. Raising money through CASA of North Mississippi will help build better futures for those kids who don’t have a way to better their lives.
Again, that is the most important thing. Charity.
There is also a basketball element to this game. Illinois heads into what is one of the craziest non-conference schedules I have seen in a while, and we have a new team. Only two scholarship players from the 2023-24 squad are back on the roster.
Illinois is going to need time to gel. A game against Ole Miss will be perfect. The Rebels aren’t a good team by any means, missing the last five NCAA tournaments and only hitting the 20-win mark once in that span of time.
The Illini will get the chance to build a little chemistry before the first game of the season against Eastern Illinois. That in-game action will be invaluable. So, along with the great charitable ramifications of the exhibition, Illinois will also get a chance to see what lineups work against live competition. It should be a great day all around.