03222024 gamer 39
Buy Now

Ty Rodgers and Quincy Guerrier celebrate on the bench during Thursday's NCAA tournament first-round win by the Illini against Morehead State at CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. The Illini beat the Eagles 85-69 for the program's first NCAA tournament win since 2022 and will play Duquesne on Saturday in a second-round game.

 Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN — State Farm Center will open its doors for fans to watch Thursday's Illini basketball doubleheader.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. The games — the Illini women vs. Tulsa in a WBIT quarterferfinal at 6:30 and the Illini men vs. Iowa State in the NCAA tournament's round of 16 at approximately 9:10 — will be shown on the videoboard above center court.

Fans should enter the west main gates. Parking will be free in the northwest and southwest lots.

Attendees will be invited to join in activities between games, such as knockout, three-point shooting and trivia. 

The first 350 fans who show up will get a free hot dog, courtesy Illinois Student Affairs.

Concessions will be open with dinner options as well as drink specials. 

The center's clear bag policy will be in effect.

"

"