Alabama MBB Heading to Chicago for Return Trip vs. Illinois

The Crimson Tide will return a trip to Illinois for a matchup with the Fighting Illini during the 2025-26 men's basketball season, according to Made for March on X.

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It's a rematch of the non-conference tilt from the 2024-25 regular season, which was played in Birmingham, Alabama, at the C.M. Newton Classic on November 20. The Tide defeated the Illini 100-87, with Grant Nelson leading the Tide in scoring with 23 points.

It's the third non-conference matchup unveiled for the Crimson Tide in the 2025-26 regular season, with Alabama scheduled to play Arizona in Birmingham and Purdue in Coleman Coliseum next fall.

Illinois ended last season 22-13, placing seventh in the Big Ten regular season rankings. Illinois fell in their second game of the Big Ten tournament, losing 88-65 to Maryland. In the NCAA tournament, Illinois made the Round of 32 before falling to three-seed Kentucky 84-75 in the Midwest Region.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.