Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction and Picks - December 6, 2025
Use Code WWWC It's the Big 10 vs the SEC in college hoops action on Saturday evening, and we have an Illinois vs Tennessee prediction ready to rock and roll. Illinois enters this contest off a 74-61 loss to UConn, which dropped them to 6-2 on the year. Tennessee checks in at 7-2 on the year, but they are off a 62-60 loss to Syracuse on the road. These teams met last year and the Vols won on the road by a score of 66-64. Continue reading to see our Illinois vs Tennessee prediction.
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Offense Sputters In Loss To UConn
Illinois’ most recent game came on November 28 against No. 5 UConn, where the Illini fell 74–61 at Madison Square Garden. Kylan Boswell led the way with 25 points, while Zvonimir Ivisic grabbed 10 rebounds. Illinois struggled from the floor, shooting just 31.7% overall and 20.7% from three, and the Huskies controlled the boards to hand Illinois its second loss of the season.
Despite that setback, Illinois has been one of the more potent offenses in the country, averaging 90.4 points per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Boswell has been the steady leader at 17.3 points and 3.9 assists per game, while Andrej Stojakovic adds 16.3 points per game as a versatile scorer. Freshman David Mirkovic has been a force inside, averaging a double‑double with 14.3 points and 10 rebounds, and Keaton Wagler provides another scoring option at 13.5 points per game. Illinois’ depth across the roster allows them to push tempo and attack defenses from multiple angles.
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Defensively, Illinois has held opponents to 70.3 points per game on 40.3% shooting, while dominating the glass with 44.5 rebounds per game. Their size in the frontcourt, with both Ivisic brothers and Mirkovic, makes them difficult to score against inside. The Illini’s challenge against Tennessee will be limiting turnovers and maintaining efficiency against one of the nation’s stingiest defenses. If Boswell and Stojakovic can find rhythm early, Illinois has the firepower to keep pace in Nashville.
Vols Fall Short Against Syracuse
Tennessee’s most recent game was a 62–60 loss at Syracuse on December 2, where Jaylen Carey scored a career‑high 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Freshman Nate Ament added 11 points but struggled with seven turnovers, while Ja’Kobi Gillespie chipped in 10. The Vols had chances late but missed both a game‑winning jumper and a layup in the final seconds, dropping their second straight game after a strong start to the season.
The Volunteers average 83 points per game while shooting 48% from the field, led by Gillespie at 17.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. Ament has been impressive as a freshman, posting 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, though he’s hit a rough patch against tougher competition. J.P. Estrella adds 12 points and 5 rebounds per game, while Carey has emerged as a reliable interior presence. Tennessee’s offense thrives on ball movement, averaging 19.3 assists per game, which ranks among the top 25 nationally.
Defensively, Tennessee has been elite, holding opponents to just 65 points per game on 37.4% shooting. Felix Okpara anchors the paint with rim protection, and the Vols rebound well at 43 boards per game. Their ability to contest shots and force opponents into tough looks has kept them in games even when the offense sputters. Against Illinois, Tennessee’s defense will be tested by the Illini’s size and scoring depth, but if Gillespie and Ament can settle into rhythm, the Vols have the balance to bounce back and protect their home‑state showcase in Nashville.
Illinois vs Tennessee Pick
Illinois vs Tennessee Spread Pick
- Tennessee -2 (5 Units)
Tennessee -2 feels like the right side because the Volunteers’ defense is built to frustrate Illinois’ high‑powered attack. The Vols allow just 65 points per game on 37.4% shooting, ranking among the nation’s best in efficiency. Ja’Kobi Gillespie has been steady at the point with 17.6 points and 5.4 assists per game, while freshman Nate Ament adds another reliable scoring option at 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds. Illinois has size and depth, but Tennessee’s ability to contest shots and force opponents into tough looks makes them a tough matchup, especially at home. Their rebounding strength at 43 boards per game also helps limit second‑chance opportunities, which is critical against an Illini team that thrives on crashing the glass.
On the offensive side, Tennessee has enough balance to keep Illinois chasing. They average 83 points per game while shooting 48% from the field, with J.P. Estrella and Jaylen Carey providing interior scoring to complement Gillespie and Ament. Illinois has struggled at times with turnovers, and Tennessee’s defensive pressure can exploit that weakness. With the Vols’ ability to control tempo, protect the rim, and lean on experienced guard play, laying the small number makes sense. Tennessee’s combination of elite defense and efficient scoring gives them the edge to cover the -2 spread in this matchup.
Illinois vs Tennessee Over/Under Pick
- Under 151 (5 Units)
The Under 151 makes sense here because both Illinois and Tennessee lean on defense and physicality, which naturally slows the pace and limits scoring runs. Illinois averages 90.4 points per game, but they’ve also held opponents to just 70.3 points on 40.3% shooting, while Tennessee is even stingier, allowing only 65 points per game on 37.4% shooting. Both teams rebound at a high level — Illinois at 44.5 boards per game, Tennessee at 43 — which means fewer second‑chance points and more half‑court possessions. With the Vols’ defensive discipline and the Illini’s size inside, this matchup projects as a grind‑it‑out battle where points don’t come easy, making the Under 151 the sharper play.
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