CHAMPAIGN — Illinois is back in the NIT for the third time in four years. The XX-seeded Illini will open tournament action at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday against seventh-seeded Valparaiso at State Farm Center.
Illinois will also do so with interim coach Jamall Walker leading the way after John Groce was fired Saturday afternoon.
The Illini (18-14) missed out on the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight season after losing in the second round of the Big Ten tournament in Washington, D.C., with a 75-55 loss to eventual champs Michigan.
Illinois' last NIT appearance was a brief one.