Tennessee basketball is accustomed to facing a few tough non-conference opponents under Rick Barnes, and that trend will continue as the Vols agree to a new contract with Illinois, scheduling two neutral-site matchups over the next three seasons.
Rick Barnes and the Vols will play Illinois once over the next two seasons in neutral-site matchups. One game will be in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena, while the other game will be in Chicago.
"Our program is really looking forward to this matchup with Illinois," Rick Barnes said about the series. "We have a great deal of respect for Brad Underwood and the Illini, and we know playing them will help prepare us for SEC action. The opportunity to compete in Nashville, a city filled with diehard Tennessee fans, is always special, and we can't wait to see Vol Nation pack Bridgestone Arena."
The first game of the two-game series will take place in Nashville on December 6, providing Tennessee with a solid non-conference challenge a month before SEC play begins.
The second game of the series will have to wait a year as it is scheduled for the 2027-28 season in Chicago. The date and venue for this game has not yet been determined, although it is expected to be played at the Chicago Bulls' home, the United Center.
Tennessee and Illinois have become familiar with each other in recent years. Tennessee won its first matchup of the home-and-home series 86-79 in 2023 in Knoxville.
The Vols took the road trip to Champaign, Illinois, this past season, besting the Illini again with a 66-64 win, thanks to a clutch Jordan Gainey buzzer-beater to win the game.
Tennessee has some other notable non-conference matchups coming up, including a date with Syracuse in the ACC-SEC Challenge, and the Vols will complete its home-and-home series with Louisville with a game in Knoxville this season.