The college basketball season hasn’t even officially begun, and yet we’ve already got a contender for one of the most head-scratching takes of the year.
On Thursday night, The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman sent out a tweet criticizing Tennessee Basketball’s non-conference schedule. He pointed out that the Vols’ first five games of the season are against Mercer, Northern Kentucky, North Florida, Rice, and Tennessee State.
“I get Rick Barnes lost a ton, but he also has ultimate job security,” Goodman wrote in the tweet. “For the good of the sport, should play a big game early in the season.”
What Goodman didn’t add to his post is that Tennessee’s next five games are against Rutgers, No. 2 Houston, Syracuse, No. 17 Illinois, and No. 11 Louisville. Those five teams are ranked in KenPom, in order, No. 85, No. 1, No. 68, No. 6, and No. 14. That’s also not including another team that Tennessee will potentially face in the Players Era tournament after the Houston game.
All of those games are before mid-December and the Christmas break.
Goodman’s tweet went viral from fans correcting him, which led to a Community Note correction on X under his post:
“This post is misleading, as it purposefully leaves out Tennessee’s next five games – three of which are ranked opponents. Additionally, the Vols played exhibition games against Duke and Ohio State to open the season.”
Tennessee’s opening to the season.
Nov. 3: Mercer
Nov. 8: Northern Kentucky
Nov. 12: North Florida
Nov. 17: Rice
Nov. 20: Tennessee stateI get Rick Barnes lost a ton, but he also has ultimate job security. For the good of the sport, should play a big game early in season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 31, 2025
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Tennessee may not have the toughest non-conference slate in the country, but it’s nowhere near bad enough to be calling out Rick Barnes’ scheduling over the matter. Those ranked games will obviously prove a challenge, too, considering only the Louisville game is in Knoxville. Rutgers and Houston are in Las Vegas, Syracuse is a true road game, and Illinois is in Nashville.
“Of all the non-conference schedules to knock, choosing Tennessee is wild,” RTI’s Ryan Schumpert commented on the post. “Will *likely* play six Power Five opponents, including Houston, Illinois, and Louisville.”
Tennessee Basketball will kick off the season against Mercer on Monday, Nov. 3, at 7:00 p.m. ET in the Food City Center.
*Update: Goodman followed up on his post Friday afternoon, reaffirming his original thoughts on the matter. Goodman tweeted out that Tennessee “is the only Preseason Top 25 team to begin this season with 4 buy games.” When a fan followed up by sending a picture of No. 24 Wisconsin starting the season with four buy games, Goodman responded that the Badgers aren’t in his own Top 25 rankings.
Tennessee is the only Preseason Top 25 team to begin this season with 4 buy games.
Those are facts. https://t.co/jsw3IVVS6l
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 31, 2025
One Response
This wasnt surprising at all. Vols just arent that good. The defense is very weak and the offense is predictable