The Illini, who were ranked No. 26 in the NET before Saturday, have skyrocketed up the rankings after toppling the Volunteers

Illinois goes full Smashville after a statement win over Tennessee in a toughness-proving showdown just before Big Ten play. Illinois did not just beat Tennessee. The Illini embraced the city’s “Smashville” nickname and made it their own, punctuating a 75-62 win with a trophy celebration that turned downright rock-and-roll.

But on Saturday night, against perhaps the most gritty and brutish team in the country, Wagler was superb. He scored 16 points, snagged eight rebounds and dished out five assists while committing zero turnovers in Illinois’ 75-62 win over Tennessee in Nashville.

Preview the Dec 6 matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and Illinois Fighting Illini with how to watch, tv channel info, predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and more.

Tennessee basketball has lost three straight games under coach Rick Barnes, leaving him searching for answers for recent struggles.

Open the Youtube video Illinois just delivered its toughest — and maybe most important — performance of the season, knocking off No. 13 Tennessee in Nashville. In this episode, I break down the turning-point moments,

The Illinois Fighting Illini and Tennessee Volunteers meet Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET.

Saturday night in the Music City featured two teams in desperate need of a high-profile win to add to their March resume. But for as much as these teams desperately needed that elusive quad one win, neither could get out of its own way.