Jimmy V. Classic: Villanova to play Illinois at Madison Square Garden

An update has been made to the 2014-15 Villanova Basketball out of conference schedule; Villanova will now play the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

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Previously, the Wildcats were set to face the Maryland Terrapins, but the Classic's website already shows that the Illini will participate.

From the release:

"The Fighting Illini returns all five starters and a total of nine letterwinners from last year’s club that won 20 games and advanced to the NIT Second Round. The Fighting Illini also posted a 7-11 record in a deep Big Ten Conference. Highlighting the returnees are seniors Ravyonte Rice, Tracy Abrams and Nnanna Egwu."

Illinois joins Delaware, Penn, Saint Joseph's (PA), Temple, Syracuse, Michigan/Oregon/VCU, and La Salle as Villanova's known 2014-15 out of conference opponents.

Jay Wright's Wildcats and the Illini will play in the first game of the ESPN doubleheader that will be held on Tuesday, December 9th. Tip time from New York City is set for 7pm ET. The second game will feature the Louisville Cardinals and Indiana Hoosiers.

This is the third time that 'Nova has participated in the Jimmy V Classic. The 'Cats lost to Texas in 2008 and to Missouri in 2011. Villanova is 3-3 all time agains Illinois, winning the last meeting in 1988.

Ticket information will be made available in a few months.