Texas wanted to play Duke but draws Big Ten powerhouse Illinois in Jimmy V Classic
As much as Texas pushed, poked and prodded tournament organizers to play Duke in the Jimmy V Classic, it’ll have to be Illinois instead.
The Longhorns will meet the Fighting Illini from the Big Ten in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 6 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Duke will play Iowa. Tipoff times will be announced at a later date.
It’s been known for months that Texas was invited to this season’s Jimmy V Classic. Former Texas guard Andrew Jones, a leukemia survivor, worked with the organization last season and gave part of his name, image and likeness profits to the organization that supports cancer research.
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Texas and Duke were the first two names announced for the event. But in late spring, Texas officials started losing hope of playing Duke, and one source said the opponent would likely be another Power Five-level team.
That team is Illinois, no slouch by anyone’s imagination. Coach Brad Underwood’s squad went 23-10 last season, won the Big Ten and reached NCAA Tournament’s second round. That team reached as high as 19th in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The previous season, Illinois peaked at No. 2 nationally.
Underwood is 94-66 in five seasons at Illinois after previous stops at Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State.
Contact Brian Davis by phone or text at 512-445-3957. Email bdavis@statesman.com or follow on Twitter via @BDavisAAS.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Longhorns basketball to play Illinois in Jimmy V Classic next season
