U-WIRE) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Just over two months before the season officially gets under way, the Illinois men's basketball schedule was released Friday.

 

The 2005-06 season features another competitive schedule, including several teams' fans will recognize from last year. Illinois will again face Arkansas, Georgetown and Oregon. The Illini are also heading to St. Louis for the annual Busch Braggin' Rights Game against Missouri.

 

The highlight of the season features two mostly new squads facing off in a rematch of last year's NCAA Championship, when Illinois heads to North Carolina to take on the Tar Heels on Nov. 29.

 

"They have pretty much a totally new team and we have pretty much a totally new team, [so] I think it'll be a big game for revenge, even though it shouldn't be," said redshirt sophomore Brian Randle.

 

The season gets under way with the Orange and Blue Scrimmage on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The Illini will face Illinois Wesleyan and Quincy in exhibition games, before officially starting competition against South Dakota State on Nov. 18.

 

"This nonconference schedule will be a challenge as we replace three starters in our lineup," head coach Bruce Weber said in a press release. "We'll have to be prepared to play in midseason form in November."

 

The Big Ten season starts Jan. 5, when Illinois takes on Michigan State at Assembly Hall. The Big Ten tournament is slotted for March 9-12 in Indianapolis.

 

"We'll have to be ready once we get to Big Ten play because I anticipate the league being extremely tough this season."

 

Illinois' returning players are excited to get the season under way. Redshirt freshman guard Calvin Brock said the second game of the season, against Texas-Pan American, will be a highlight for him. Brock's godbrother, Johnathan Chatman, is on the Broncos' squad.

 

"He went to high school with me; he's a year ahead of me," Brock said. "He plays there, so I'm looking forward to playing them."

 

Brock said, however, that his anticipation for the North Carolina game is high.

 

"I can't wait," Brock said. "We're going to their school, too."

Illinois - UNC: The most dissapointing rematch in years....

OMG Duke sucks passion.

 

/lamers

 

Illinois won't be too great next year, but still better than Florida!

It was way more difficult last year since we knew we had a darn good team, this year's team is going to struggle early due to all the inexperience, then probably hit it's stride in conference, so scheduling an easier OOC makes sense.

 

Yeah, and UNC/Illinois won't look nearly the same this December as it did in April, although the Illini will win this time, not that it matters nearly as much though.