For the Illinois basketball team, there are just over two months until the start of what is expected to be a great 2024-25 season.

The Illini have acquired new players this offseason that should bring this program back into the Elite 8 next season. A few days ago we also learned when and where the games outside of the Illinois Conference will take place.

On Thursday, Illinois fans learned the details of another game. I would argue it is the most important game of the season.

The Illinois basketball team’s social media account has released the details of the exhibition game against Ole Miss. This game will take place on Sunday, October 27th, for charity. It will take place in Oxford, Mississippi and will begin at 1:00 p.m. CT.

These two teams will help raise money for CASA of North Mississippi. CASA of North Mississippi’s website states their mission statement:

“CASA of North Mississippi advocates for the interests of abused and neglected children through the use of trained, court-appointed community volunteers.”

And in their donations section it says:

“Every dollar you donate to CASA of North Mississippi gives a child in foster care the powerful voice of a dedicated CASA volunteer. CASA volunteers are extensively trained and supported by professional staff to represent the interests of children in foster care in Lafayette and Lee counties. Your donation gives these children a voice in court, in school and in our community.”

The most important thing in this whole show of war is raising money for children in need. According to a U.S. News and World Report released in May, Mississippi ranks first in the United States for poverty rate at 19.1%, and it ranks 50th in economic opportunity. The less money there is in a state, the fewer opportunities people have and the less chance they have in life. Raising funds through CASA of North Mississippi will help provide a better future for those children who have no opportunity to improve their lives.

And that is the most important thing: charity.

There’s a basketball element to this game, too. Illinois is facing one of the craziest non-conference schedules I’ve seen in a long time, and we have a new team. Only two scholarship players from the 2023-24 squad are back on the roster.

Illinois will need time to get into the swing of things. A game against Ole Miss would be perfect. The Rebels are not a good team, having missed the last five NCAA tournaments and only reaching the 20-win mark once in that span.

The Illini have a chance to build some chemistry before their first game of the season against Eastern Illinois. That game action will be invaluable. So, in addition to the great charitable impact of the exhibition game, Illinois also has a chance to see what lineups work against live competition. It should be a great day all around.