Cirque du Soleil Sends Illini Packing

By Marcus Gilmer in Miscellaneous on Mar 15, 2010 6:40PM

Earlier today, we mentioned that Illinois's men's basketball team narrowly missed out on this year's NCAA tournament and, instead, fell into a number one seed in the NIT. But a look at the schedule shows Illinois playing Stony Brook (located on Long Island, New York) on the road (Wednesday, March 17, 8 p.m., ESPNU). What gives? It seems Cirque du Soleil already has Assembly Hall booked. From IlliniHQ [via Deadspin]:

Though Illinois is seeded No. 1 in the NIT, it couldn't host a first-round game because Cirque du Soleil is performing at the Assembly Hall this week. If it continues to win, Illinois would host a second-round game March 22 and a third-round game March 24.

So take heart, Illini fans. The odds are in your favor you'll get to see your team play on its home floor at least once more this season. But, as countless upsets have taught us, nothing is for certain in March.