KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The No. 14 Tennessee men’s tennis team defeated Illinois, 4-2, Saturday afternoon in the opening round of ITA Kickoff Weekend. The Vols dropped the doubles point, but the singles part of the match was filled with some intense competition.

No. 14 Tennessee (4-1) defeated Illinois (0-1), 4-2, on Saturday at Goodfriend Tennis Center in the ITA Kickoff Weekend. Alejandro Moreno earned a win for Tennessee with a, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, victory on court five.

Tennessee ranks as the most effective and efficient defense in the country, per KenPom. There isn’t an offense this season the Volunteers haven’t been able to handle. For a few examples, Rick Barnes‘ team held Florida to 12 points under its season average,

Tennessee has a penchant for fouling 3-point shooters at a seemingly high rate, especially for a team that relies on senior guards. It committed a season-high three fouls on 3-point shooters at Illinois in December, with two by Mashack. Zeigler had one ...

Tennessee will host Michigan on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the ITA Kickoff Weekend championship match. The Vols and the No. 25 Wolverines will have a lot on the line for this match, which includes a spot into the Indoor National Championships later this season.

Thursday's OVC slate includes the Tennessee State Tigers (9-12, 5-5 OVC) meeting the Western Illinois Leathernecks (8-12, 2-7 OVC) at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Advertisement Article continues below ...

Tennessee dropped the point in doubles to start the afternoon, but came back to win four points in singles. The Vols saw Jan Kobierski and Alan Jesudason step up when they were down early in doubles, but Tennessee lost two close matches to give Illinois the point.

Saturday's OVC slate includes the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (10-11, 5-5 OVC) against the Eastern Illinois Panthers (5-15, 1-8 OVC), at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Advertisement Article continues below ...

Tennessee faces Auburn. Our college basketball odds series has our Tennessee Auburn prediction, odds and pick for Saturday.

Nebraska looks to break a long losing streak as we continue our College Basketball odds series with an Illinois-Nebraska prediction and pick.

Jan. 30

Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Bowden is snagging Illinois director of player personnel Dre Brown into an executive role in Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans organization. Brown is expected to fill a top role of Executive Director of Personnel and Scouting, per sources familiar with his exit from the Illini program.