#14 Illinois vs. #13 Tennessee Picks and Predictions: Music City Madness

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Kylan Boswell leads the Illini in scoring, assists and steals this year - Illinois Tennessee Picks

Rick Barnes and Brad Underwood lead their squads as they boot, scoot and boogie their way down to Broadway for some Music City Madness on Saturday. The No. 14 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini take on the No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Both come into this game with two losses on their resume, and both lost their last outing overall. Who will bounce back with a win on Saturday Night? Find out below with our favorite picks.

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#14 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. #13 Tennessee Volunteers NCAA Basketball Insights

Rick Barnes and the Volunteers haven't lost three games in a row since November of 2023 - Tennessee Illinois Picks

Rick Barnes and the Volunteers haven’t lost three games in a row since November of 2023

The Illini’s losses are much more forgivable than the Volunteers’. Illinois dropped their games to the Alabama Crimson Tide by five on a neutral site, and to UConn Huskies by 13 in Madison Square Garden. I won’t punish them too much, as both the Tide and Huskies look rock solid. Plus, an early season loss to a good team isn’t the worst thing in the world. However, the Volunteers have now lost two in a row.

Tennessee lost in the Players Era consolation game to a Darryn Peterson-less Kansas Jayhawks team by five. Without Peterson, the Vols should not lose that game. They are more talented than my Jayhawks. But then they followed it up with a two point loss to the Syracuse Orange on the road on Tuesday. Now they have to turn around and play the Illini on a neutral court. Tennessee didn’t lose three games in a row once last season, but could see that happen very early this year if they don’t wake up.

Matchup Information – Illinois vs. Tennessee – December 6

  • Venue & Location: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)
  • Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
  • Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: ESPN

Illinois vs. Tennessee Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of December 5, 2025 at 6:42 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Illinois +2 (-110)
  • Tennessee -2 (-110)

Total

  • Over 150 (-110)
  • Under 150 (-110)

The Illini should turn this game into a track meet. The Volunteers are still about middle of the pack in tempo, so expect over 70 possessions. Offensively, the Illini have the all the advantages, and I think they are simply the deeper team. I’m betting on that showing this weekend.

#14 Illinois vs. #13 Tennessee NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Stojakovic has led the Illini in scoring in three separate games this year - Illinois Tennessee Picks

Stojakovic has led the Illini in scoring in three separate games this year

Illinois vs. Tennessee Prediction: Illinois Wins Outright, Over 150

Best Bet: Illinois +2 (-110) BetOnline

Give me Illinois plus the points, or even outright. Despite struggling to force turnovers, they matchup well, are top 20 in adjusted efficiency on both sides of the ball, and rebound better than anyone. That will certainly come into play. Although Tennessee’s offense is No. 26 overall, they don’t shoot it like the best of them, they are north of 250 in turnovers, and they don’t shoot much from deep. They are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country, but so are the Illini. The difference? Illinois is top 15 in both offensive and defensive rebounding, while the Vols are third on offense but No. 132 on defense. The Illini have the bodies to clean up the glass on both ends, and have a better shot at earning some second chance points.

Tennessee has just three guys averaging double digit points, and JP Estrella didn’t play against Syracuse. Even if he is back, the Volunteers’ front court will be tested by the Illini’s size. On Underwood’s squad, they have five different players putting up at least 10 points per game, and have had four different leading scorers in wins this year. I certainly believe they have the firepower to take down the Volunteers, even inside the state of Tennessee.

It’s not a true road game, and the Illini have a much better defense that ranks third in opponent free throw rate. Give me Illinois to shock Rocky Top.

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