An exhibition game with the University of Illinois at Springfield, dates with two teams that reached the NCAA tournament and a pair of preliminary-round games in the Emerald Coast Classic make up the schedule when the University of Illinois men’s basketball team opens its season in November at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.
Due to renovations at the State Farm Center in Champaign, the Illini announced last October that they would play their first five games of the 2015-16 season at the Convention Center. The State Farm Center is expected to be ready for Illinois’ December schedule of games.
The Illini and the NCAA Division II Prairie Stars will play Nov. 8, the first meeting between the schools. UIS finished 11-16 last season under first-year coach Bill Walker.
Illinois closes out the PCCC part of its schedule with a Nov. 23 game against Chicago State as part of the Emerald Coast Classic.
University of Illinois I FUND members and Illinois basketball season ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase five-game ticket packages for the Springfield games.
The packages, which provide a seat to each game, are priced at $250
The U of I has mailed and emailed order forms to I FUND members, and following the presale to I FUND members and season ticket holders, tickets for the Springfield games will go on sale to the public through the Prairie Capital Convention Center. The public on-sale date was not specified.
This story appeared online in The State Journal-Register on July 6, 2015.
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