Tennessee basketball officially released its complete 2026-27 non conference schedule on Wednesday morning. The Vols have 14 games set and could play a 15th game if they win their first three games in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas.
Seven of Tennessee’s non conference games will come against power five competition while seven are buy games against lesser competition.
The Vols’ 2026-27 season opener is on Nov. 3 when they host Wofford at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Tennessee will get its first real test two weeks later when they host Michigan State in Knoxville. The Spartans are a preseason top 10 team and will serve as an early measuring stick for Rick Barnes’ 12th Tennessee team.
Tennessee will also play three or four games in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas Thanksgiving week. The Vols will face Maryland in their first game and then either Iowa State or San Diego State in their second game in the event. Potential opponents for the third game include St. John’s, Oregon, Louisville and Texas Tech. If Tennessee goes 3-0 then they will play in a championship game.
Following the trip to Las Vegas, Tennessee will host Florida State in the ACC-SEC Challenge on Dec. 1 in Knoxville. The Vols will then face off against former assistant coach Justin Gainey and his first NC State team at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Dec. 6.
Tennessee has one difficult road test in its non conference schedule— a road trip to face Purdue at Mackey Arena on Dec. 11.
Expectations are high for Barnes’ 12th Tennessee team. The Vols over went a major roster overhaul this offseason but brought in one of the nation’s very best transfer hauls including highly sought after transfers Juke Harris, Jalen Haralson, Terrence Hill Jr, Tyler Lundblade and others.
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Nov. 3 — vs. Wofford
Nov. 9 — vs. Radford
Nov. 13 — vs. Tennessee State
Nov. 17 — vs. Michigan State
Nov. 20 — vs. Coastal Carolina
Nov. 24 — vs. Maryland (Las Vegas)
Nov. 26 — vs. Iowa State OR San Diego State (Las Vegas)
Nov. 27 — vs. St. John’s OR Texas Tech OR Oregon OR Louisville (Las Vegas)
Nov. 28 — Potential fourth game in Las Vegas if Tennessee goes 3-0
Dec. 1 — vs. Florida State
Dec. 6 — vs. NC State (Nashville)
Dec. 11 — at Purdue
Dec. 16 — vs. Morehead State
Dec. 20 — vs. Marist
Dec. 29 — vs. Norfolk State
