A demanding non‑conference slate
The University of Tennessee men's basketball program unveiled its complete non‑conference schedule for the 2026‑27 season, a 14‑game lineup that stretches from early November to the end of December. The slate was put together to test the team early and to give fans a preview of the upcoming campaign under head coach Rick Barnes.
The season opens on November 3 with a home contest against Wofford, a program the Volunteers have dominated historically, improving to 9‑0 overall and 7‑0 in Knoxville. Just six days later, Tennessee will head to Lexington, Kentucky, to meet Radford, a team they have beaten in all three previous meetings, all on home soil.
A short homestand follows with a game against Tennessee State on November 13, marking the only carryover opponent from the previous season. The Volunteers hold a perfect 7‑0 record against the Bulldogs, and the game will be played in Knoxville before the team embarks on its first road trip to face Michigan State on November 17 at the Food City Center.
The Volunteers will encounter several Power Five opponents throughout the stretch, including a matchup with Maryland in the Players Era Men's Championship in Las Vegas on November 24. The tournament also features a potential clash with either Iowa State or San Diego State on November 26, giving Tennessee a chance to add to its strong historical records against those programs.
Beyond the Las Vegas event, the schedule includes additional tests such as a home game against Coastal Carolina on November 20, a neutral‑site contest with Florida State in the SEC/ACC Challenge on December 1, and a road test at Purdue on December 11. The Volunteers will also host North Carolina State at Bridgestone Arena on December 6 before concluding non‑conference play with a series of home and away games against Morehead State, Marist and Norfolk State.
The non‑conference schedule will wrap up on December 29 with a matchup against Norfolk State, after which the team will transition into SEC competition on January 2. Throughout the stretch, the Volunteers will face a blend of familiar foes and new challenges, setting the stage for a competitive start to the season.