Tennessee Falls to Illinois 75–62 in Ranked Non-Conference Clash In Nashville

Nashville, TN - No. 13 Tennessee entered Saturday’s neutral-site matchup in Nashville looking to regain momentum after a challenging stretch.

Instead, the Volunteers suffered a 75–62 defeat at the hands of No. 14 Illinois. The result was shaped by poor shooting, late-game lapses, and a poised, balanced Fighting Illini attack.

In a physical battle, Tennessee (7–3) briefly held control in the first half and carried a 34–32 lead into the break after positive floor minutes from Bishop Boswell. But, Illinois responded with sustained composure and closed the game on a decisive 15–3 run that sealed the Volunteers’ third straight loss.

Balanced Illinois Attack Leads the Way

Illinois showcased depth and efficiency, placing four players in double figures. Tomislav Ivisic and Keaton Wagler each scored 16 points, while Kylan Boswell added 15 and David Mirkovic contributed 10. Their balanced scoring allowed the Illini to withstand Tennessee’s physicality and maintain steady control in key stretches of the second half.

Offensively, Illinois shot 48 percent from the field. Tennessee struggled throughout the second half of the night. The Illini’s late surge, fueled by confident shot-making and disciplined execution, ultimately broke the game open.

Tennessee’s Offensive Struggles Prove Costly

The bright side is that Tennessee fought hard on the glass. The Vols recorded 23 offensive rebounds for a season high. The Vols just failed to convert those opportunities into points. They shot just 37 percent from the field and 6-for-20 from beyond the arc, missing multiple layups and high-percentage looks that could have shifted momentum.

Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists, but the Volunteers’ offensive rhythm was repeatedly disrupted by 13 turnovers and Illinois’ defensive pressure. Head coach Rick Barnes noted postgame that Tennessee “missed at least 10 shots at the rim,” a margin that proved pivotal in a tight game.

“We are what we are. And right now we are inconsistent.” - Coach Barnes post game loss to Illinois

Watch his post game presser recap here.- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR997hsDWEo/?igsh=Znl1eTIxYW1yNW9u

The Volunteers’ final lead came with just over 11 minutes remaining at 49–48, before Illinois methodically took over both ends of the floor.

A Missed Opportunity and a Clear Wake-Up Call

For Tennessee, the loss underscores several areas requiring immediate improvement:

• Finishing at the rim: Missed layups and short-range attempts continue to hurt Tennessee in close matchups.

  
  

• Ball security: Turnovers at critical points stalled offensive flow and helped Illinois generate transition opportunities.

  
  

• Late-game composure: Tennessee struggled to match Illinois’ poise in the final eight minutes, a recurring issue during this stretch.

  
  

Looking Ahead

With conference play approaching, the Volunteers have time to refine their offensive identity and reestablish the consistency expected of a top-15 team.

If Tennessee can clean up those areas, Saturday’s loss could serve as a turning point rather than a setback. The team will have 10 days of straight practice to think about it. The time in the lab at the facility will be an opportunity to regroup, reset, and regain the competitive edge that has long defined Rick Barnes’ program.