NCAAB · Final

Illinois Defeats Tennessee in NCAAB Showdown

Saturday, December 6, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · Bridgestone Arena

Illinois Fighting Illini 75, Tennessee Volunteers 62, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers?

Illinois Fighting Illini beat Tennessee Volunteers 75-62 at Bridgestone Arena on December 6, 2025.

Who was favored in Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers?

Tennessee Volunteers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.

In a compelling matchup at the Bridgestone Arena, the Illinois Fighting Illini secured a decisive victory over the Tennessee Volunteers, finishing with a score of 75 to 62. This game showcased Illinois's strength as they improved their away record to 8-2, while Tennessee fell to 7-4 overall. The Illini's performance was marked by a strong second half, where they outscored the Volunteers significantly.

Both teams entered this contest with solid records, Tennessee at 7-3 and Illinois at 7-2. However, the Volunteers were struggling recently, having lost their last two games, including a narrow defeat to Syracuse just days prior. They had averaged 82.4 points scored per game over their last ten outings but allowed 67.1 points, indicating a potential vulnerability in their defense. In contrast, Illinois had been more prolific in scoring, averaging 89.4 points in their last ten games while allowing 74.4 points, showcasing their offensive prowess.

The Volunteers had a strong home record of 6-1 before this game, but their recent form suggested they were under pressure. Their last five games had seen them post a record of 3-2, with an average of 77.2 points scored and 67.2 points allowed. On the other hand, Illinois boasted a formidable away record of 7-1, although they had lost their last away game against UConn.

The previous meeting between these two teams had taken place on December 14, 2024, where Tennessee edged out Illinois with a close 66-64 victory. This history added an intriguing layer to the matchup, as both teams were looking to assert dominance in their rivalry.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams were expected to field their strongest lineups. The odds from DraftKings reflected a competitive atmosphere, with Tennessee favored by 1.5 points, a spread that indicated a closely matched contest. The total for the game was set at 149.5, suggesting that both teams were anticipated to contribute significantly to the scoreboard.

The conditions in the arena were conducive to a high-paced game, and viewers were treated to a display of skill and strategy. Key moments included three-point shots from Illinois players Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Zvonimir Ivisic, and David Mirkovic, all of which helped to extend their lead in the second half. Kylan Boswell's contributions from the free-throw line also proved crucial in sealing the victory for the Fighting Illini.

As the game progressed, Tennessee struggled to keep pace with the scoring output of Illinois, which ultimately led to their downfall. The Volunteers' inability to convert on key possessions and their defensive lapses allowed Illinois to capitalize and build a comfortable lead. This match served as a reminder of the competitive nature of college basketball, where momentum can shift rapidly and every possession counts.

Overall, this game highlighted Illinois's ability to perform under pressure, while Tennessee will need to reassess their strategies moving forward as they look to bounce back from this defeat.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	TENN -1.5	149.5 o -110 / u -110	Illinois Fighting Illini +114 · Tennessee Volunteers -135

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJa'Kobi Gillespie15Tennessee Volunteers
AssistsJa'Kobi Gillespie5Tennessee Volunteers
ReboundsBishop Boswell7Tennessee Volunteers
PointsKeaton Wagler16Illinois Fighting Illini
AssistsKeaton Wagler5Illinois Fighting Illini
ReboundsKeaton Wagler8Illinois Fighting Illini

Recent form

Tennessee Volunteers

Last 10: 7-3Streak L282.4 scored · 67.1 allowed per game6-1 at home

L60-62at Syracuse OrangeDec 3
L76-81vs Kansas JayhawksNov 27
W76-73at Houston CougarsNov 25
W85-60vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsNov 24
W89-60vs Tennessee State TigersNov 21
W91-66vs Rice OwlsNov 18
W99-66vs North Florida OspreysNov 13
W95-56vs Northern Kentucky NorseNov 8
W76-61vs Mercer BearsNov 4
L77-86at Florida GatorsMar 16

Illinois Fighting Illini

Last 10: 7-3Streak L189.4 scored · 74.4 allowed per game0-2 away

L61-74at UConn HuskiesNov 28
W87-73vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosNov 25
W98-58vs Long Island University SharksNov 22
L86-90vs Alabama Crimson TideNov 20
W84-65vs Colgate RaidersNov 15
W81-77vs Texas Tech Red RaidersNov 12
W113-70vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesNov 8
W113-55vs Jackson State TigersNov 4
L65-88at Maryland TerrapinsMar 14
W106-94vs Iowa HawkeyesMar 13

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17
Florida	27-8	-	16-2
Arkansas	28-9	3	13-5
Alabama	25-10	3	13-5
Vanderbilt	27-9	5	11-7
Tennessee	25-12	5	11-7
Texas A&M	22-12	5	11-7
Georgia	22-11	6	10-8
Kentucky	22-14	6	10-8
Missouri	20-13	6	10-8
Texas	21-15	7	9-9
Auburn	22-16	9	7-11
Oklahoma	21-16	9	7-11
Mississippi State	13-19	11	5-13
Ole Miss	15-20	12	4-14
South Carolina	13-19	12	4-14
LSU	15-17	13	3-15

Box score

Stat	Illinois Fighting Illini	Tennessee Volunteers
Field goals	28-58	24-65
Field goal %	48	37
Three-pointers	11-28	6-20
Three-point %	39	30
Free throws	8-14	8-18
Free throw %	57	44
Rebounds	31	46
Offensive rebounds	11	23
Defensive rebounds	20	23
Assists	14	14
Steals	5	4
Blocks	7	4
Turnovers	6	13
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	5
Fast-break points	5	5
Points in the paint	32	34
Fouls	14	18
Largest lead	14	2
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	80	6

How the scoring went

1st Half32-29Tomislav Ivisic made Jumper.
1st Half32-32Bishop Boswell made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Nate Ament.
1st Half32-34Cade Phillips made Layup.
2nd Half34-34Kylan Boswell made Layup. Assisted by Tomislav Ivisic.
2nd Half34-36Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Layup.
2nd Half36-36Tomislav Ivisic made Dunk. Assisted by Kylan Boswell.
2nd Half39-36Keaton Wagler made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Tomislav Ivisic.
2nd Half39-37Bishop Boswell made Free Throw.
2nd Half42-37Keaton Wagler made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Tomislav Ivisic.
2nd Half42-39Nate Ament made Layup. Assisted by Jaylen Carey.
2nd Half44-39David Mirkovic made Layup.
2nd Half44-42Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jaylen Carey.
2nd Half45-42Keaton Wagler made Free Throw.
2nd Half46-42Keaton Wagler made Free Throw.
2nd Half46-44Amaree Abram made Layup.
2nd Half46-45Amaree Abram made Free Throw.
2nd Half48-45David Mirkovic made Layup.
2nd Half48-47DeWayne Brown II made Jumper. Assisted by Amaree Abram.
2nd Half48-49J.P. Estrella made Dunk. Assisted by Ethan Burg.
2nd Half50-49Andrej Stojakovic made Layup.
2nd Half53-49Jake Davis made Three Point Jumper.
2nd Half53-50Jaylen Carey made Free Throw.
2nd Half55-50Kylan Boswell made Layup.
2nd Half56-50Andrej Stojakovic made Free Throw.
2nd Half57-50Ben Humrichous made Free Throw.
2nd Half58-50Ben Humrichous made Free Throw.
2nd Half58-52Nate Ament made Dunk. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
2nd Half61-52Keaton Wagler made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kylan Boswell.
2nd Half63-52Kylan Boswell made Layup.
2nd Half63-54Nate Ament made Layup.
2nd Half63-57Bishop Boswell made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Felix Okpara.
2nd Half66-57Zvonimir Ivisic made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by David Mirkovic.
2nd Half66-60Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Nate Ament.
2nd Half69-60Zvonimir Ivisic made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Keaton Wagler.
2nd Half72-60David Mirkovic made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kylan Boswell.
2nd Half73-60Kylan Boswell made Free Throw.
2nd Half74-60Kylan Boswell made Free Throw.
2nd Half74-61Nate Ament made Free Throw.
2nd Half75-61Kylan Boswell made Free Throw.
2nd Half75-62Felix Okpara made Free Throw.

Win probability

Above the line favours Tennessee Volunteers, below favours Illinois Fighting Illini.