Only three nonconference games remain for No. 1 Tennessee and the Volunteers are preparing nicely for Southeastern Conference play.
After its biggest test of the young season, coach Rick Barnes' squad will start its second week as the nation's top-ranked team against visiting Western Carolina on Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee (10-0) turned to Jordan Gainey on Saturday to remain unbeaten against host Illinois.
Gainey inbounded the ball to Igor Milicic Jr. with 5.7 seconds left, took a return pass and went end-to-end before squeezing a layup past Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis for a 66-64 win that pushed the Volunteers to 10-0 for the first time in 25 years.