Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers NCAAB Betting Prediction
PublishedDecember 6, 2025,            Posted By: Maria Uebelhor
Last updated:December 6, 2025 ,

NCAAB Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Prediction 12/6

The Illinois Fighting Illini, ranked #14, will take on the #13 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET. This non-conference game will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, a neutral site. Fans can catch the action on ESPN as these two top teams battle it out. The Volunteers are favored with a spread of -2.5, while the Fighting Illini are the underdogs with a spread of +2.5.

Illinois vs. Tennessee Betting Prediction

  • Spread Prediction: Illinois +2.5. Illinois has a strong record at 6-2 and is ranked #14. Their ability to score 90.4 points per game could help them cover the spread against Tennessee.
  • Over/Under Prediction: Over 150.5. Illinois averages 90.4 points per game, and Tennessee averages 83.0. Both teams have high-scoring offenses, which could lead to a total over 150.5.

Team Trends

  • The game between Illinois and Tennessee will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, a neutral site.
  • Tennessee is favored by 2.5 points over Illinois in this non-conference game.
  • Illinois has not won a game as an underdog this season, with a record of 0-1.
  • Tennessee has a strong record straight up in all games, winning 7 out of 9.
  • The over/under for the game is set at 150.5 points.

Illinois vs Tennessee Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini and Tennessee Volunteers are set for an exciting game on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Illinois, ranked #14, has a record of 6-2 this season. They recently lost to the Connecticut Huskies 74-61, but before that, they secured wins against Texas-Rio Grande Valley and LIU Sharks. Key players like Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic have been strong contributors for the team.

Tennessee, ranked #13, holds a 7-2 record. They are coming off a close 62-60 loss to Syracuse. Earlier, they fell to Kansas but managed a win against Houston. Jaylen Carey and Ja’Kobi Gillespie have been standout performers for the Volunteers. The game will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, and will be broadcast on ESPN. Tennessee is favored with a spread of -2.5, while Illinois has a spread of +2.5. Fans can expect a competitive game between these two top-ranked teams.

Tennessee Volunteers: A Look at the Season

The Tennessee Volunteers hold an impressive 7-2 record this season. They have excelled at home with a 6-1 record, but their performance on the road is more balanced at 1-1. The Volunteers are ranked 13th in the AP poll, representing the Southeastern Conference. In recent games, Tennessee faced a close loss to Syracuse, 62-60. Jaylen Carey was a standout player, scoring 22 points with a 62.5% field goal percentage. The Volunteers also had a tough game against Kansas, losing 81-76, despite Nate Ament’s 20 points and 9 rebounds. Offensively, Tennessee averages 83 points per game, ranking them 96th in the nation. They are strong in rebounding, with 43 rebounds per game, placing them 24th. The Volunteers’ defense records 7.9 steals per game, which is a key part of their strategy.

Illinois Fighting Illini: Strong Contenders

The Illinois Fighting Illini hold a 6-2 record this season. They are ranked 14th in the AP poll and are part of the Big Ten Conference. At home, they have a solid 6-1 record, but they have struggled on the road, standing at 0-1. In recent games, Illinois lost to Connecticut with a score of 74-61. Kylan Boswell was the top performer, scoring 25 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. The team secured a win against Texas-Rio Grande Valley, scoring 87 points, with Andrej Stojakovic contributing 24 points. Offensively, Illinois averages 90.4 points per game, placing them 24th in the nation. They excel in rebounding, averaging 44.6 rebounds per game, which ranks them 9th. However, their defense records 4.4 steals per game, which is an area they may need to work on.

Final Betting Pick

Illinois has a strong chance to cover the +2.5 spread. They have a 6-2 record and rank #14, which shows they are a competitive team. Their ability to score 90.4 points per game is a key factor, as it gives them the potential to keep the game close against Tennessee.

The over 150.5 bet looks promising due to both teams’ scoring abilities. Illinois averages 90.4 points per game, while Tennessee averages 83.0. With both teams having high-scoring offenses, the total score could easily surpass 150.5 points.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.