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Illinois signs home and home series with Tennessee

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois has signed a 2-year contract with Tennessee for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 men's basketball seasons. The Illini will travel to Knoxville next season, playing at Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. The Volunteers will return to Champaign the following year for a Saturday showdown at State Farm Center on Dec. 14, 2024.

"We are excited to schedule a marquee series with the University of Tennessee," Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said. "These will be great early season tests for our program to compete against talented and successful Tennessee teams led by their tremendous coach in Rick Barnes."

"My philosophy remains the same every year: to put together an extremely challenging non-conference schedule that will ultimately prepare us for the rigors of Big Ten play," Underwood continued. "In addition to benefiting our team, it is great for college basketball – and especially the fans – to have high-level games like this played on college campuses."

Tennessee is currently ranked No. 6 in the AP poll, while the Illini are at No. 18.

Illinois and Tennessee have met just three times, with the Volunteers owning a 2-1 edge in the series. The programs played for the first time on Dec. 15, 1967 in the Volunteer Classic, a 66-42 win for the host Vols. Tennessee also defeated the 10th-ranked Illini in Knoxville on Dec. 10, 1985 by the score of 54-51. No. 20 Illinois rolled past the Vols, 103-79, on Jan. 17, 1988 in the lone match-up in Champaign.
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Recruits react to Ryan Walters leaving for Purdue

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Pat Farrell: "Doesn’t affect me at all I’m still 100% Locked In! Happy for him and well deserved but Illinois is still great with the other coaches we have around us!"

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Saboor Karriem: "I'm 100% committed to The University of Illinois"

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Jaheim Clark: "I'm locking in and ready to come in and be an major impact to the defense side. I will be signing December 21st."

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Antwon Hayden: "I’m happy for him he's a great DC. This kind of got my mind in wonders about the situation. Right now ….it’s just idk what."

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Alex Bray: "We knew this day was coming. I wish it wouldn’t have been so soon, but understand it’s because of the success of the program and defense. I’m still committed to ILL."

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Mason Murigan: "I think he is a great coach who helped turn Illinois into one of the best defenses in the nation and he definitely deserved a head coaching job so I’m happy for him. I will still be signing on the 21st."
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(OT) - Brock Purdy

This is a case where I will say I am enjoying spiking the football.

Five years ago, Lovie, Phair, Whitman, and company all ignored me when I emailed them regarding an Arizona prospect named Brock Purdy. Heck, I pushed so hard that the publisher of this board asked me if I was his agent. If only I were his agent! Today he beat Tom Brady 35-7. Not bad for a kid who is about 5’ 11” - 6’ tall (my height and I did see him at honors school ceremonies).

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