U of I Arena Court Damaged By Water

The University of Illinois says it is evaluating the condition of the new basketball court inside the State Farm Center after several inches of storm water backed up inside the arena.

The university said on its athletics website that the water covered the floor about 3 a.m. Tuesday due to a blocked storm-drain line after a heavy rain.
 
The school said that if the court can't be fixed the university will "secure an alternate playing surface'' in time for the season that begins next week. It wasn't clear if that would mean buying a new surface.
 
The arena is in the middle of a $169.5 million renovation project.
 
The men's team is scheduled to open with an exhibition against Quincy on Nov. 7. The women's team faces Millikin Nov. 8.