Chambana Sun

Illinois is set to compete in the Big Ten Tournament, beginning with a first-round match against Oregon. Scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. CT in Columbus, Ohio, this encounter comes just days after the two teams faced off for the first time, with Oregon edging Illinois 4-3. The winner will advance to meet Ohio State in the quarterfinals.

Illinois enters the tournament as the No. 8 seed with a 14-10 overall record, having gone 7-6 in conference play. In contrast, Oregon, new to the Big Ten, is seeded ninth with a 13-12 record and finished their conference matches at 5-8. Oregon boasts two ranked singles players, Lenn Luemkemann at No. 104 and Vlad Breazu at No. 105.

Illinois concluded its regular season with a decisive victory over Washington, winning 6-1 in Seattle. This victory snapped the Huskies' five-match win streak. The Fighting Illini dominated the doubles matches, notably with Kenta Miyoshi and Max Mroz securing a win on Court 2, and Tyler Bowers and Mathis Debru teaming up for a triumph on Court 1.

Head coach Brad Dancer, in his 20th year, recently received a contract extension through the 2030-31 season. Reflecting on the extension, Josh Whitman, Illinois Director of Athletics, stated, "Brad Dancer is a trusted, veteran leader in our athletics department and one of the most accomplished coaches throughout all of collegiate tennis, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership through the next six years as he continues to lead a championship-caliber men's tennis program."

The Illini's tournament history includes 12 Big Ten titles. In 2021, they last won under Dancer, who has led them to three championships during his tenure. Dancer's record features 387-183 overall, with achievements including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and conference titles.

In their latest ranked win, Illinois defeated No. 12 Michigan 5-2, showcasing a strong comeback after early setbacks in singles matches. The victory marked their first top-25 win of the season. Additionally, Kenta Miyoshi has been recognized with ITA All-America status, further highlighting the team's successes this season.

More information about the Big Ten Men's Tennis Tournament is available online.