Tennessee basketball will open its season against Michigan State on November 17 at the Food City Center in Knoxville, marking the first meeting of a home‑and‑home series that is slated to begin in the 2026‑27 campaign.
Rick Barnes, the Vols’ head coach, announced the matchup during the Big Orange Caravan tour in April, emphasizing the program’s desire to test itself early against elite competition.
A Challenging Non‑Conference Schedule
The schedule also features early‑season road tests against Florida State, Purdue and NC State, a trio of programs that consistently rank among the nation’s best, as Tennessee seeks to sharpen its résumé before SEC play.
Las Vegas Tournament
A few weeks later, the Vols travel to Las Vegas for a tournament game against Maryland on November 24 at 3 p.m. ET; the winner will then meet the victor of the Iowa State‑San Diego State contest.
Notable SEC home games on the horizon include matchups with Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Kentucky, promising a slate of high‑stakes contests for the Volunteers.