Friday, Nov. 13: Best day ever for Illini fans

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Head Coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies, left, meets with Head Coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini before the start of their game in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Clear your schedules, Illinois fans!

On one fateful Friday in November, both Bret Bielema’s and Brad Underwood’s squads will be playing regular-season games.

Get ready for Nov. 13, as Illinois football plays at UCLA and Illinois men’s basketball hosts Sam Houston.

There will be one day this fall when Illinois football and Illinois men’s basketball both play — It’s Friday, November 13th.#Illini FB at UCLA, MBB vs Sam Houston.

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) August 21, 2026Illini Football: @ UCLA

The Illini football team will be making the trek out West to take on the UCLA Bruins, under the lights at Rose Bowl Stadium.

It will be a rare Friday night game for Illinois football, a part of the “FOX College Football Friday” primetime slate.

UCLA is entering its first year under head coach Bob Chesney, who’s coming off a College Football Playoff berth at James Madison University.

Illini Men’s Basketball: v.s. Sam Houston

The Illini men’s basketball team will keep it local, hosting the Sam Houston Bearkats at the State Farm Center.

While tipoff time hasn’t been announced yet, local fans may have to choose between watching the football game and attending the basketball game in person.

The Bearkats are a part of Conference USA and are coming off a 22-12 season in 2025-26.

And now, the choice is yours, Illini fans — if both teams are playing at the same time, which game will you be tuning into?