Tennessee basketball is back in action for its second game of the 2025-26 season on Saturday afternoon when the Vols host Northern Kentucky. The Vols took their opener against Mercer earlier this week but are looking to put a cleaner showing together against the Norse.
Here’s everything to know about the matchup from the broadcast details to the betting odds and much more.
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How to Watch — No. 18 Tennessee (1-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Northern Kentucky (0-0, 0-0 Horizon)
- Start Time: 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT
- Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- Watch: SEC Network+. PxP: Zack Nelson, CC: Steve Hamer
- Online Streaming: Watch ESPN
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
- Vol Network radio crew: PxP: Mike Keith, CC: Chris Lofton
Betting Odds
- Tennessee -27 Northern Kentucky
- Over/under: 141.5
- Tennessee -27 Northern Kentucky
- Over/under: 141
Probable Starters
Tennessee (via UT Game Notes)
Northern Kentucky (via NKU Game Notes)
How They Fared Last Season
Tennessee:
- 30-8 (12-6 SEC) record
- Elite Eight appearance
- Season ended with loss against Houston
Northern Kentucky
- 17-16 (11-9 Horizon) record
- Lost in second round of Horizon League Tournament
- Finished seventh out of 11 in Horizon League regular season standings
Where They Land In Rankings
Tennessee:
- AP Poll: No. 18
- Coaches Poll: No. 17
- KenPom: No. 15
- Bart Torvik: No. 13
- EvanMiya: No. 19
Northern Kentucky
- AP Poll: N/R
- Coaches Poll: N/R
- KenPom: No. 278
- Bart Torvik: No. 295
- EvanMiya: No. 247
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
Points: Nate Ament — 18 PPG, 54.5 FG%, 25 3PT%
Rebounds: Jaylen Carey — 10 RPG, 5 DRPG, 5 ORPG
Assists: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 6 APG, 4 TOPG, 28 MPG
Northern Kentucky:
Points: Kael Robinson — 22 PPG, 90 FG%, 80 3PT%
Rebounds: LJ Wells — 10 RPG, 9 DRPG, 1 ORPG
Assists: Ethan Elliott — 9 APG, 2 TOPG, 23 MPG
Prediction
Northern Kentucky dominated division two Cincinnati Clermont in its first game of the season so there’s little to learn from that matchup.
The Norse run a bit of a wonky matchup zone that will test Tennessee’s ball handling and passing after a sloppy 19 turnovers to begin the season against Mercer. Tennessee comes out a bit more efficiently in this game and cruises to a victory.
Tennessee 80, Northern Kentucky 55
