CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After back-to-back ranked losses, Illinois coach Brad Underwood focused on conditioning and mental toughness this week ahead of their matchup against No. 17 Tennessee. The Illini intensified practices with increased running and rebounding drills to prepare for the Vols’ physical style. Underwood attributed recent struggles to fatigue and emphasized the need for toughness in their final non-conference game before Big Ten play. Illinois faces Tennessee at 7 p.m. Saturday in Nashville.
