The Illini are headed to North Carolina this season.
Illinois basketball announced Wednesday that it will play Duke on Nov. 17 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils will come to Champaign in December 2027.
Duke and Illinois have matched up just twice this decade, most recently during the 2024-25 season. It was a game to forget for the Illini, who lost 110-67 in Madison Square Garden. Illinois is 3-6 against Duke all-time.
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However, the Illini are 2-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the Blue Devils have never played in Champaign before.
It’s a big move for Illinois, which now has a connection with one of the premier college basketball programs. With a non-conference schedule that includes UConn and now Duke, Illinois will have plenty of big tests early on next season.
The Illini are likely not done adding to their schedule either. They played four top-15 teams in their non-con; why not do it again?
