#20 Illinois Opens Big Ten Slate at Home Against Nebraska, Wisconsin

Friday, March 7

Urbana, Ill.

5 PM CT

University of Illinois

Nebraska

URBANA, IL - February 22, 2025 - Photos taken during the match between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana, IL. (Photo By Dwayne Banks Jr/Illinois Athletics)

#20 Illinois Opens Big Ten Slate at Home Against Nebraska, Wisconsin

March 6, 2025 | Men's Tennis

PREVIEW

Matches 11+12: #20 Illinois vs. Nebraska, vs. Wisconsin
Matches 11+12	vs. Nebraska // vs. Wisconsin
Date	Friday, March 7, 5 p.m. CT // Sunday, March 9, 12 p.m. CT
Location	Urbana, Ill. \| Atkins Tennis Center
Promotions	Friday, 5 p.m. CT, vs. Nebraska: Free taco and drink for first 100 fans, Pack Atkins Sunday, 12 p.m. CT, vs. Wisconsin: Free postmatch kids clinic (SIGN UP)
Links	Live Stats // Live Streams
Notes/Record Book	Illinois Match Notes // 2025 Record Book
Illinois	Roster \| Schedule \| Season Stats
Shop	Fighting Illini Store
Social Media	X \| Instagram \| Facebook

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 20 Illinois begins Big Ten play with two matches at Atkins Tennis Center, taking on Nebraska and Wisconsin at home this weekend.

The Fighting Illini will host the Cornhuskers on Friday at 5 p.m. CT before battling the Badgers on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT.

Holding a 6-4 record heading into their conference schedule, the Orange and Blue look to win their Big Ten opener for the third consecutive season.

LAST TIME OUT

No. 20 Illinois fell on the road in its final nonconference contest of the regular season, dropping its dual at No. 3 Ohio State, 4-0, at Ty Tucker Tennis Center on Wednesday night.

In doubles play, the Illini took the first match of the night behind a win at No. 3. Teaming up for the first time in dual play, Mathis Debru and Jeremy Zhang broke in the fifth game before fighting off break points in both the sixth and eighth games. Holding the rest of the way, Debru and Zhang posted a 6-4 decision over Ohio State's Bryce Nakashima/Jack Anthrop and were the first match to finish.

The Buckeyes battled back by taking the remaining two matches at No. 1 and 2, giving the home side the doubles point and an early 1-0 edge.

Ohio State ultimately sealed the win with victories at No. 1, 2, and 5 singles. All three unfinished matches were in the third set.

ABOUT NEBRASKA, WISCONSIN

Nebraska makes the trip to Champaign-Urbana with a 7-3 record, including a 3-1 mark on the road this season. The Cornhuskers have defeated Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and Tulsa away from home during their spring slate.

The Illini and the Huskers have one common opponent thus far, with both sides falling to Baylor; Illinois fell to the Bears away from home, 4-1, on March 1, while Nebraska suffered a 4-2 defeat on its home courts on Feb. 7.

The Cornhuskers feature one ranked singles player, No. 81 Calvin Mueller, and a ranked doubles team, No. 41 Lars Johann and Anton Shepp.

Wisconsin, which will play Northwestern on Friday in its conference opener, enters the weekend with a 6-2 record and has split its two road contests this spring. The Badgers began the season with a six-match homestand, and they have since played their last two matches away from home: a 7-0 loss at Notre Dame on Feb. 21 and a 5-2 win at Marquette on Feb. 27.

The Fighting Irish are the common opponent for the two sides, with the Illini defeating Notre Dame, 4-3, in the second half of a doubleheader at Atkins Tennis Center on Feb. 15.

The Badgers currently do not have any singles or doubles players in the ITA rankings

SERIES HISTORY

Illinois holds a commanding 13-2 lead against Nebraska all-time, though the Huskers won the most recent meeting between the sides with a 4-2 win over the Illini at the 2024 Big Ten Tournament. The Illini are 6-0 against the Cornhuskers when playing in Champaign-Urbana.

Sunday marks the 98th all-time meeting between the Illini and the Badgers, with Illinois holding a 66-31 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1909. The Orange and Blue have won 15 of their last 16 matches against Wisconsin, including last season's 4-1 win in Madison.