Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Tennessee vs. Illinois prediction: Who wins the Music City Bowl, and why?

The latest offering from college football bowl season brings us a notable SEC vs. Big Ten clash from Nashville as Tennessee and Illinois face off in the 2025 Music City Bowl game.

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The Quiz of the Day

Illinois HC Bret Bielema accidentally told a lie about Tennessee ahead of matchup against the Vols in the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols and the Illinois Fighting Illini will face off on Tuesday in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. Coaches from both programs met with the media on Monday to preview the game.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 29

Three Instant Observations From Illinois Basketball's 90-55 Win Over Southern

Illinois was never likely to be threatened in Monday's 90-55 steamrolling of Southern, a non-conference opponent outside the Power 5, but the Illini handled their business in appropriate fashion and got all the right muscles stretched as they prepare for the Big Ten journey ahead, starting Saturday at Penn State (6 p.m.

Watch: Illinois at Purdue | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 12/28/2025

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 28

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema explains why Tennessee didn't want to practice at Vanderbilt ahead of the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols arrived in Nashville shortly after Christmas to continue preparations for their upcoming matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl.

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Purdue (Game 13)

The Illinois women’s basketball team (11-1, 1-0 Big Ten) put together a strong non-conference start, and now the Illini will try to carry that momentum straight into the grind of Big Ten play.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 27

How High Did Illinois Basketball Climb in ESPN's Latest Top 25 Rankings?

Not even two months into the season, there have already been a handful of occasions when Illinois fans may have experienced deja vu. Yet another Illini team with so much promise, and yet another missed opportunity when the pieces weren't put together.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 27

Preview: No. 20 Illinois vs. Southern

Most of us will never know the curse of overwhelming talent – and even fewer among us are willing to spare an ounce of sympathy for those afflicted by it.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 25

Illinois' Unscripted Offense Is Operating – and Delivering – Exactly as Intended

There have been questions about Illinois’ offense all season. Where are the sets? Why isn’t there more choreographed off-ball movement? Shouldn’t a team this talented be running something that looks a little more … organized?

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 24

Illinois Projected as Top Seed in Latest ESPN Bracketology From Joe Lunardi

December Bracketology is always a strange mix of overreaction and quiet truth, but for Illinois, Joe Lunardi’s latest projection feels grounded in something real.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 23

What Illinois’ Return to the KenPom Top 10 Says After Missouri Rout

Even in the aftermath of Illinois’ best wins of the 2025-26 campaign (Texas Tech and Tennessee), we felt it was necessary to highlight the Illini woes – whether they be defensive shortcomings or letdowns on the glass – as they could come back to bite Brad Underwood’s club down the road.