Tennessee has spent the preseason hearing about its potential. Now Rick Barnes and the Volunteers get to show what they actually have.

The No. 8 Volunteers open the college basketball season Tuesday against Wofford at Food City Center in Knoxville. It’s a familiar opponent, but Tennessee arrives with some legitimate questions after an exhibition schedule that didn’t exactly inspire confidence. The Vols lost 86-70 to Xavier before suffering a 103-64 defeat at Duke, results that have made their regular-season opener more interesting than anyone might have expected.

Wofford isn’t traveling to Knoxville simply to provide opening-night opposition. The Terriers have been a consistent Southern Conference contender and know what it’s like to face Tennessee on a big stage. The programs met in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, when the Volunteers earned a 77-62 victory.

Tuesday gives Tennessee a chance to move past its exhibition struggles. For Wofford, it’s an opportunity to challenge a nationally ranked SEC opponent before another demanding road game against North Carolina on Friday.

WOULD YOU LOOK WHAT DAY IT IS
🆚 Wofford
🕕 6pm ET
📺 SEC Network
📻 @VolNetwork
🎟️ https://t.co/tIJoJGwkx9pic.twitter.com/ACz5zyes1H

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) November 3, 2026

How to Watch Wofford at Tennessee

Day: Tuesday

Start Time: 6 p.m. ET

Location: Food City Center, Knoxville, Tennessee

TV Channel:SEC Network

Live Stream: ESPN app or ESPN.com with an eligible TV-provider subscription, and live TV streaming services carrying SEC Network

Tennessee Has Something to Prove After the Preseason

The Volunteers are ranked among the nation’s top 10, but Barnes has plenty to address after two difficult exhibition performances.

Losing to Xavier was disappointing enough. The 39-point defeat against Duke raised additional concerns about Tennessee’s defensive execution and ability to compete with elite opponents. Exhibition results don’t count toward the standings, of course. They do, however, reveal areas that need attention.

Tennessee needs to establish a more reliable offensive rhythm, limit turnovers and rediscover the defensive intensity that has become a trademark of Barnes’ program. The Vols also have the benefit of playing at home, where the crowd should provide plenty of energy for the season opener.

Wofford Knows This Tennessee Program

The Terriers have already experienced what it’s like to face Tennessee in a significant game. Their previous meeting came during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, with the Volunteers winning 77-62. Tennessee also owns a 9-0 advantage in the all-time series.

Wofford will need to handle Tennessee’s defensive pressure and avoid allowing the Vols to dominate the rebounding battle. Head coach Kevin Giltner’s team also faces an unusual opening week. After Tuesday’s game, the Terriers travel to Chapel Hill for a Friday contest against North Carolina.

That schedule provides two early opportunities to test themselves against major-conference competition. Tennessee enters as the favorite, but Wofford has every reason to approach the opener aggressively.

The Volunteers are looking for a clean start after their exhibition losses. The Terriers would love nothing more than to make opening night uncomfortable.

Related: Duke’s 17-Year-Old Freshman Could Become College Basketball’s Most Fascinating Newcomer

Related: Florida Returns To Site Of NCAA Tournament Heartbreak As No. 1 Team In College Basketball

This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Other Sports section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports