Illinois basketball will host Alabama on Wednesday for a regular season game inside the United Center for the first time since 2018. The Illini played a regular-season game in Chicago every season (except
for 2009) dating back to 1994 before their last appearance in 2018.
Head coach Brad Underwood did not continue the United Center game tradition following a 77–67 loss to Ohio State, likely because attendance was just 5,285 people, per ESPN. The arena was nearly empty, and the game also took a home conference matchup away from the State Farm Center.
The resurgence of the program since 2018 has brought excitement back to the United Center game and provides a chance for Chicagoland alumni to see the Illini play in their backyard against a high-level opponent. Illinois will also face UConn and Tennessee during non-conference play over the next two years, keeping the United Center tradition alive for at least a couple more seasons.
“I’m expecting a great game. Expecting a great crowd. Looking forward to seeing a lot of orange and blue in the United Center,” Underwood said Tuesday.
Illinois played inside the United Center for the Big Ten Tournament in 2019 and 2023 but went just 1–2 in those appearances. The Illini suffered a blowout loss to Iowa in 2019 as the No. 11 seed after defeating Northwestern and later lost to Penn State in 2023 as the No. 7 seed.
The Illini are just 1–4 at the Madhouse on Madison since 2017 but will have an opportunity to improve that record on Wednesday night and again during the Big Ten Tournament this March.
The Big Ten Tournament will return to Chicago in 2026, and this matchup offers the team a valuable chance to get comfortable playing in the arena. Illinois will play in numerous NBA venues during non-conference play, which could help prepare them for similar environments in the NCAA Tournament.
Illinois will have the chance to beat an AP Top 25 team inside the United Center for the first time since March 13, 2005. The Illini defeated No. 23 Wisconsin 54–43 to capture their second Big Ten Tournament championship in school history. Their first conference tournament title also came inside the United Center in 2003.
