Tennessee basketball will play Illinois at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena in the 2025-26 season, continuing the series after a home-and-home set.

It marks the third time since Penny Hardaway became coach in 2018 that the Tigers have freshened up the aesthetic of their home playing surface. The last time came ahead of the 2022-23 season, when Memphis introduced both a new look and an updated floor.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee men's basketball team is set to play Illinois in Nashville in December during the 2025-26 non-conference slate.

Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway reiterated his feelings about renewing the Tigers' rivalry with Tennessee.

Ogden has ties to Tennessee and is an elite wing recruit. The 6-5, 180-pound Ogden is the No. 67 prospect nationally. His father, Chris, played for Barnes in 2003 and spent 12 seasons on Barnes' staff at Texas. He followed Barnes to Tennessee for the 2015-16 season before he was hired as the University of Texas-Arlington coach.

The Fighting Illini will face Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

It has been announced that former 4-star power forward recruit Trey Thompson from Greeneville, Tennessee, has reclassified from the 2026 class so that he can join Iowa this fall. On Wednesday, the program relayed that Thompson had reclassified and signed a scholarship agreement with the Hawkeyes.

Tennessee star Trey Thompson has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Iowa men’s basketball program.