According to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, the Illinois Fighting Illini will play a non-conference game against the Central Michigan Chippewas on December 10. The contest will be played at the State Farm Center.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 3, 2016
Central Michigan went 17-16 (10-8) while placing second in the MAC's West Division (apparently some conferences do that for basketball?). The Chippewas were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament after an upset at the hands of Bowling Green. The program went on to play in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, where they were eliminated in the first round by Tennessee-Martin.