If a rough Homecoming loss has you anxious for Illinois basketball, the good news is your wait is a short one. The men’s basketball team kicks off its season this afternoon with the first of two exhibition games, with tip-off against Washington University set for 2 p.m.
The game marks the team’s first appearance in the newly finished State Farm Center and will offer fans a chance to check out the new videoboard, ribbon scoreboard, and Manny Jackson Hall of Fame, among other new features to the arena. It also represents point guard Tracy Abrams’ first on-court appearance with the team in two seasons after suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries. The only injury question mark for this afternoon’s game is Jalen Coleman-Lands, as he is recovering from an injury to his shooting hand and may not be at full speed yet.
Tickets are still available for the game and can be purchased online. The only television option is via the BTN Plus subscription, however.