Beat writer SCOTT RICHEY breaks down the three opponents that have been officially announced for the 2016-17 season:
North Carolina State
Nov. 29 — State Farm Center, Champaign
Illinois is 1-3 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge under John Groce. The Wolfpack might make it difficult to improve that mark. Despite going 16-17 a year ago and losing point guard Cat Barber to the NBA draft, N.C. State could be primed for a rebound season. The Wolfpack return their next two leading scorers in Abdul-Malik Abu (above) and Maverick Rowan (12.9 ppg apiece) and add a freshman class led by point guard Dennis Smith Jr.