The Illinois Springfield men's basketball team will get a pre-season test against a high-level opponent when it travels to Coralville, Iowa, to face the Iowa Hawkeyes in an exhibition game on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Xtream Arena. 

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for $5 apiece through the Iowa Athletics Ticket Office, following an initial access period for UI students to claim free admission. 

The exhibition will provide head coach Matt Brock and the Prairie Stars an opportunity to compete against a Big Ten program as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. Iowa finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 24-13 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. Under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

McCollum brings an extensive Division II coaching background to Iowa, having spent 15 seasons as head coach at Northwest Missouri State. His experience at the Division II level adds an interesting connection to the matchup as UIS prepares to take on the Hawkeyes.

The Prairie Stars enter the season with a mix of returning experience and new talent. Four key contributors will be seniors, including fourth-year Prairie Stars Jorden Williams and Britton Dutton, along with Isaiah Davis and Adidas Davis, who joined the program as junior transfers last season.

Isaiah Davis led UIS in scoring among returning players with 348 points last season, including 288 points from beyond the three-point line. His perimeter scoring will be an important part of the Prairie Stars' offense as the team begins a new campaign.

UIS also added experience through graduate transfers Kobe Clark and Ty Lenhardt, while three freshmen join the roster. Local standout Luke Blackford, Tre Watkins of Aurora, Ill., and Metea Valley High School, and 6-foot-7 wing Jake Nosek have also joined the squad.

The Iowa exhibition will serve as an unofficial season opener for Illinois Springfield before the Prairie Stars return home for their first official game on Monday, Nov. 9, against Millikin. The contest will be part of a basketball doubleheader at UIS, following the women's basketball opener against Purdue Northwest.