The Illini officially began practice on Wednesday, nearly seven months after their promising season was cut short in March.
There are still numerous unknowns regarding the entire NCAA season, but with the same global pandemic that ended last season still circulating, just being back on the floor is not something to take for granted.
“Guys are bouncing off the walls,” said head coach Brad Underwood. “Feels good to be back doing what we all love to do.”
But one of the most glaring kinks in the return to play — and allowing teams to play nonconference games — is the fact that the Illini do not yet have a finalized schedule.