CHAMPAIGN — Illinois wants to maintain a presence in Chicago.
That's why the Illini will continue to look for football opportunities after fulfilling their deal for two more football games at Soldier Field, with this season's game against South Florida included in that number. And it's why they'll continue to play a men's basketball game each season at the United Center.
Illinois will return to the United Center during the 2018-19 season. Who the Illini will play, though, might drum up more interest since they'll play a Big Ten opponent in Chicago thanks to the expanded 20-game Big Ten schedule set to start with the upcoming season.