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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:
Tomislav Ivisic and the Illini will get another shot at UCLA next season, but this time, in Los Angeles.
Three reasons we love sports today
➜ 1. The Illinois men’s basketball team will play its first game at Pauley Pavillion since 1997 during the 2025-26 season. The home venue of UCLA will welcome in the Illini at some point this winter after the Big Ten announced on Tuesday its rundown of conference opponents for all 18 league schools.
➜ 2. The Illini will also play a second game in Los Angeles — and the first time at the Galen Center — when they tangle with Southern Cal. The two teams haven’t played in L.A. since 1975, and the Galen Center opened in 2006.
➜ 3. Get scouting reports on Maryland, Nebraska and Northwestern. Those are the only three Big Ten teams the Illini will play twice in their 20-game league slate.
Mike Small and his Illinois men’s golf team hosts an NCAA regional at Atkins Golf Club in Urbana from May 12-14.
Numbers game: 11
over par is what the Illinois men’s golf team shot in its final round this past Sunday at the Big Ten championship, allowing UCLA to overtake the Illini and win the league title. Illinois will find out what teams will join them at Atkins Golf Club in Urbana for NCAA regional play from May 12-14 at noon on Wednesday. That’s when the NCAA selection show airs live on Golf Channel.
Brad Dancer and his Illinois men’s tennis team opens NCAA tournament play on Friday.
Crowd control
Three events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Eastern Illinois at Illinois softball. It’s an in-state clash at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Eichelberger Field. The Illini (21-25) are long shots to make the 12-team Big Ten tournament, while Panthers (27-19), led by first-year co-coaches Kristi and Dan Paulson after their successful stint at Parkland, are in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.
➜ 2. Illinois vs. Oklahoma men’s tennis. The Illini (15-11) and Sooners (16-10) meet at 3 p.m. Friday in a first-round NCAA tournament match in Fort Worth, Texas.
➜ 3. Illinois vs. Arizona women’s tennis. The Illini (14-12) and Wildcats (18-10) have a 9 a.m. first serve on Friday in a first-round NCAA tournament match in Charlottesville, Va.
Centennial athletic director Sonny Walker.
Ask an AD
Three questions with Centennial athletic director Sonny Walker:
➜ 1. My favorite sports teams are … the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls.
➜ 2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … John Thompson, Coleman Carrodine and Craig Hodges.
➜ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … repeating myself.
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