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Big Ten opponents set for 2026-27 season
TL;DR
The Big Ten has announced Illinois' 2026-27 schedule, featuring 20 league games. Illinois will play home and away against Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin, with additional matchups against teams like Iowa and Michigan State.
Key points
- Illinois' 2026-27 Big Ten schedule includes 20 league games
- Home and away games against Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin
- Illinois finished the 2025-26 season with a 28-9 record
IllinoisNorthwesternPurdueWisconsin
May 12—CHAMPAIGN — The first step in finalizing Illinois' 2026-27 Big Ten schedule is complete, with the conference announcing each team's 20 league games Tuesday afternoon.
That 20-game slate again includes three teams Illinois will play both at home and on the road — Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin — and seven opponents each for home only or road only matchups.
The Illini will face Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA and USC at State Farm Center only during the 2026-27 season. Also on the schedule are road games at Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rutgers and Washington.
Illinois tied with Nebraska and Michigan State for second in the Big Ten this past season and earned the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament. The Illini went on to reach the Final Four in the NCAA tournament and finished the 2025-26 season with a 28-9 record.
Several starters and key rotation players are set to return for the 2026-27 season. That group is led by 6-foot-9 forward David Mirkovic, with Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and Jake Davis also set to return. While also announced his return, the 6-7 guard is currently going through the pre-draft process for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Q&A
What teams will Illinois play at home and away in the 2026-27 Big Ten season?
Illinois will play Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin both at home and on the road during the 2026-27 Big Ten season.
Which teams will Illinois face only at home in the 2026-27 season?
Illinois will host Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA, and USC at State Farm Center during the 2026-27 season.
What was Illinois' performance in the previous season before the 2026-27 schedule?
Illinois tied for second in the Big Ten, earned the No. 4 seed in the tournament, reached the Final Four, and finished the 2025-26 season with a 28-9 record.