The ISU Athletic Department announced Wednesday that the men’s basketball team will play Duke University at the United Center, in Chicago, this upcoming season.

“This is a good opportunity for our program,” said head coach Greg McDermott.

“The guys are excited, and this will be a great chance to find out where the team is going into Big 12 play.”

McDermott said Duke had the date reserved with the United Center and was still looking for an opponent when Iowa State was contacted by the Big 12.

“Luckily, it worked with our schedule,” McDermott said.

Athletics Director Jamie Pollard said ESPN had been working with the Big 12 to find a team that was willing to play Duke.

Iowa State gladly accepted and pollard said it could help ISU Athletics reach out to former students.

“I’m excited for the players to be able test themselves against a premiere program,” Pollard said. “Chicago is our second-largest alumni base and should generate a good turnout.”

The match-up will mark the third time the men’s team will play in the Chicago area in the 2009-’10 season.

Other than Duke, Iowa State will also play St. Louis University and the winner of the Northwestern Illinois vs. Notre Dame game in a tournament around Thanksgiving. The women’s team will play Northwestern around Thanksgiving as well.

The game will be somewhat of a homecoming for incoming guard Chris Colvin, who won the 2009 4A Illinois State Basketball Tournament with Whitney Young High School, which is less than a mile from the United Center.

Mike Green, associate director of athletics communications, said Iowa State and Duke have never played one another in men’s basketball.

The game will be televised live on ESPN on Jan. 6, 2010. Ticket information is yet to be announced.