Conference schedule unveiled
SEC releases 2026‑27 conference slate for Tennessee basketball. The Volunteers will navigate an 18‑game conference schedule under head coach Rick Barnes, entering his 12th year at the helm. The slate features a balanced mix of home and road contests, with nine games apiece at Thompson‑Boling Arena and on the road.
The season kicks off on Jan. 2 when the Vols host Vanderbilt to begin conference play. Early in the campaign the team faces a stretch of back‑to‑back road games, testing depth and resilience. Series matchups include home‑and‑home battles with Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt, while Missouri steps in as the designated rotator for this year’s schedule.
Home dates will see Tennessee welcome Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State and South Carolina, providing a strong mix of traditional rivals and newcomers. On the road, the Vols travel to Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Texas, rounding out a demanding itinerary that spreads across the Southeast and beyond.
The schedule culminates in March with a final showdown against Vanderbilt, a fitting finale to a conference slate that blends competitive matchups with strategic travel patterns. Fans can expect a season filled with high‑stakes games and opportunities for the Volunteers to climb the SEC standings.