NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Chambana Today) — A top-15 matchup is set for Saturday night as No. 14 Illinois travels south to face No. 13 Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, with national coverage on ESPN.
Illinois enters the game at 6–2, boosted by a blend of veteran leadership and impactful freshmen. Senior guard Kylan Boswell continues to anchor the lineup, averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists — the only Big Ten player meeting or exceeding all three marks. Junior transfer Andrej Stojakovic has also emerged as a scoring force, reaching 20 points in four of his first seven games with the Illini.
In the frontcourt, freshman David Mirkovic is coming off a historic performance, becoming the first Illinois player since 1972 to register a 20-point, 20-rebound game. Junior center Tomislav Ivisic adds size and scoring at the rim, including a double-double against No. 5 UConn earlier this season.
Freshman guard Keaton Wagler continues to make strides, averaging 13.5 points and ranking second among Big Ten freshmen in free throws attempted per game.
Off the bench, graduate forward Ben Humrichous provides perimeter shooting, while 7-foot-2 junior Zvonimir Ivisic ranks among the nation’s top shot blockers at 2.9 per game.