Tennessee men’s basketball announced its complete non conference schedule on Friday afternoon just a few days after the SEC announced its conference schedule.
The Vols will face seven big five opponents during non conference play as well as seven buy games at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Tennessee will play at Louisville, home versus Syracuse in the ACC-SEC Challenge, Miami in New York City, at Illinois and two games in the Baha Mar Tournament.
“We have once again put together a strong non-conference schedule that includes opportunities for our players to compete against outstanding programs and in exciting venues,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said in a statement. “With eight home games before the new year, our team will also assuredly feel the consistent support from the best fan base in the country right here in Knoxville.”
Baylor, St. Johns and Virginia are the three other teams in the Baha Mar Tournament and Tennessee’s schedule didn’t indicate who they will play in the first game. Jon Rothstein previously reported that Tennessee will face Virginia in the first game of the event and then will face either Baylor and St. John’s in the second game of the event.
Tennessee plays buy games against Gardner-Webb, Montana, Austin Peay, UT Martin, Western Carolina, MTSU and Norfolk State. Those seven games along with the Syracuse games and Tennessee’s only regular-season non conference games at home.
Four of Tennessee non conference (or potential opponents) are projected to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. Baylor is projected to be a three-seed, St. John’s is projected to be a six-seed, Illinois is projected to be a seven-seed and Miami is projected to be a 10-seed. Louisville is projected to be one of the first four teams out.
Expectations remain high for Tennessee basketball next season despite losing an abundance of key players from last season’s SEC Championship and Elite Eight team. The Vols added four players in the transfer portal and return a number of key contributors like Zakai Zeigler, Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack.
Check out the full schedule with dates and game locations here.
More From RTI: Tennessee Basketball’s Complete SEC Schedule
Non Conference Schedule
Nov. 4 — vs. Gardner-Webb
Nov. 9 — at Louisville
Nov. 13 — vs. Montana
Nov. 17 — vs. Austin Peay
Nov. 21 — vs. Baylor/St. John’s/Virginia (Baha Mar) [Reportedly Virginia]
Nov. 22 — vs. Baylor/St. John’s/Virginia (Baha Mar)
Nov. 27 — vs. UT Martin
Dec. 3 — vs. Syracuse (ACC-SEC Challenge)
Dec. 10 — vs. Miami (NYC)
Dec. 14 — at Illinois
Dec. 17 — vs. Western Carolina
Dec. 23 — vs. Middle Tennessee
Dec. 31 — vs. Norfolk State
