URBANA, Ill. - The No. 17 ranked Fighting Illini men's tennis team travels to Minneapolis as the No. 3 seed in the 2016 Big Ten Tournament Tournament. Tournament play spans from Thursday, April 28, through Sunday, May 1. Receiving a first-round bye, the Orange and Blue will open the tournament on Friday, April 29, at 4:30 p.m. CT against the winner of No. 6 seed Penn State vs. No. 11 seed Michigan State.

Illinois looks to defend its Big Ten Tournament title from 2015. Posting an 8-3 record in league play, Illinois finished behind No. 1 seed Ohio State (11-0) and No. 2 seed Northwestern (10-1). No. 4 seed Michigan (8-3) also received a first-round bye.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT HISTORY

Having won the conference tournament in 2012 and 2015, UI looks for its third tournament title in the last five years. Dancer has led the Illini to the Big Ten title match in eight of his 10 years as head coach.

ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS

Individually, the Orange and Blue have three players nationally ranked. Leading the way is No. 4 Aleks Vukic, followed by No. 17 Jared Hiltzik and No. 71 Aron Hiltzik. In doubles, sophomores Aron and Vukic have move up to No. 71 in the nation. 

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