The University of Tennessee announced its complete non‑conference schedule for the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season, a 14‑game slate that will precede the start of SEC competition in January.
The season opens on November 3 at Thompson‑Boling Arena, where the Vols will host Wofford in front of a home crowd eager to see the new‑look roster.
Veteran head coach Rick Barnes, now in his twelfth year at the helm, will guide the team through a demanding early stretch that includes road trips to several power‑program opponents.
Key matchups to watch
A highlight of the non‑conference calendar is participation in the Players Era Men’s Championship in Las Vegas during November, where Tennessee will join a field that features several of the nation’s top mid‑major programs.
The schedule also features a marquee matchup in the SEC/ACC Challenge, with the Vols traveling to face Florida State on December 1, a game that could serve as an early barometer for both conferences.
Additional contests include games against Radford, Tennessee State, Michigan State, Coastal Carolina, as well as a series of meetings with NC State, Purdue, Morehead State, Marist and Norfolk State, rounding out a diverse slate that tests depth and resilience.