the 2010–11 big ten conference men's basketball season marks the continuation of the annual tradition of competitive basketball among big ten conference members that began in 1904. the non-conference portion of the 2010–11 ncaa division i men's basketball season began on november 8, 2010 with illinois defeating uc irvine in the opening round of the 2010 coaches vs. cancer classic. conference play is set to begin on december 27, 2010 with penn state traveling to play indiana in bloomington, indiana. following conference play, conseco fieldhouse in indianapolis will host the 2011 big ten conference men's basketball tournament to be played thursday, march 10 through sunday, march 13. the big ten conference will host second and third round games of the 2011 ncaa men's division i basketball tournament at the united center in chicago march 18 and 20, 2011.