Even in the middle of an undefeated start when top-ranked Tennessee had throttled anyone who happened to get in its way, Zakai Zeigler had stayed on the floor for all but 30 plays against top-100 teams this season.

The final 5.7 seconds was just the cherry on top. Jordan Gainey going coast-to-coast on the final possession and scoring at the buzzer to lift No. 1 Tennessee to a 66-64 win at Illinois was nothing more than what he had spent the previous 18 minutes doing.

What channel is the Tennessee basketball vs Illinois game on today? Here's how to watch, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds.

No. 1 Tennessee survived an upset bid from Illinois after guard Jordan Gainey made a layup at the buzzer to give his team a 66-64 win. Illinois guard Kasparas Jakučionis made his second free-throw attempt to tie the game at 64 with less than six seconds left before Gainey raced down the floor to end the game in dramatic fashion.

The Illini had upset on their minds in leading for much of the game, but the Vols got the play they needed at the buzzer

Jordan Gainey scored 23 points to lift No. 1 Tennessee to a 66-64 win at Illinois to move to 10-0 this season.

The Big Ten had a loaded slate of action on Saturday, highlighted by marquee matchups for a handful of teams. The best battle was in Champaign, as Illinois took top ranked Tennessee to the final minutes.

In a physical, defensive-minded battle between Illinois (7-3) and No. 1 Tennessee (10-0) on Saturday in Champaign, the Volunteers prevailed 66-64, escaping the State Farm Center with their unblemished record compliments of a buzzer-beating layup from sixth man Jordan Gainey.

Illinois (7-2, 1-1 Big Ten) will host No. 1 Tennessee (9-0) on Saturday at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. Tennessee leads the all time series,