Tennessee announced a series of preseason exhibitions that will shape the early portion of the 2024‑25 campaign, beginning with a home game against Xavier on October 15 at the Thompson‑Boling Arena.
A demanding preseason slate
The following day the team will head to Durham for a clash with Duke, a program that enters the season ranked among the nation’s top ten, setting up an early marquee test.
Later in the month the Vols will travel to Las Vegas to take part in the Players Era Festival, where they are slated to open against Maryland and could meet either Iowa State or San Diego State in subsequent contests; a 3‑0 record in the tournament would guarantee a championship game.
The non‑conference agenda also includes a road test at Purdue’s Mackey Arena on December 11, a game that represents the toughest away challenge of the schedule, as well as a home meeting with Florida State in the ACC‑SEC Challenge on December 1 and a showdown with former assistant Justin Gainey’s NC State squad on December 6.
Rick Barnes, now in his twelfth season at the helm, has overhauled the roster with a wave of transfers, among them Juke Harris, Jalen Haralson, Terrence Hill Jr. and Tyler Lundblade, while also welcoming back forward Jovan Milicevic, who will anchor the frontcourt.
Xavier, under head coach Richard Pitino, arrives in Knoxville after a 15‑18 season that saw the team finish 6‑14 in Big East play and miss the postseason; the Musketeers return Milicevic’s counterpart Jovan Milicevic but will be without several key departures, including transfers Rubén Domínguez and Mike Nwoko.
Bart Torvik’s preseason projections place Xavier at No. 56 nationally, with a 33rd‑ranked offensive efficiency and 89th‑ranked defensive efficiency, underscoring both the opportunity and the pressure facing the Vols as they aim for a strong start.
Expectations are high for Barnes’ latest edition, especially after a recruiting cycle that brought in top‑rated transfers and a schedule that pits the team against several power‑five opponents before conference play even begins.