Tennessee Basketball: Volunteers Open Season Against Wofford

The No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers open their 2026-27 season on Tuesday evening against the Wofford Terriers. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville. This contest marks the first game of the college basketball schedule for the day.

Tennessee enters the year after reaching the Elite Eight in the previous tournament. The coaching staff used the transfer portal to rebuild the roster, adding Juke Harris, Tyler Lundblade, Terrence Hill Jr., Jalen Haralson, Dai Dai Ames, and Miles Rubin. These moves aim to raise the team's ceiling after a successful 2025 campaign.

Wofford arrives in Knoxville following a 19-13 season. That record extends the program's winning streak to nine consecutive years. The Terriers face a difficult road test against a top-10 opponent.

Tennessee holds a 9-0 all-time record against Wofford. The most recent meeting occurred in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where the Volunteers won 77-62. Current betting lines show Tennessee as a 25.5-point favorite. The total points line is set at 155.5.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates each game 10,000 times. The model favors the Under, projecting a combined total of 152 points. In those simulations, the Under hit in 58 percent of outcomes. The model also identifies value against the spread, noting that one side hits in over 60 percent of trials.

Head coach Rick Barnes is known for defensive schemes. Tennessee allowed fewer than 70 points per game last season and ranked 32nd nationally in field-goal defense. The team held opponents to a 40.9 percent shooting percentage from the floor. Recent history supports a low-scoring game, as the two teams have not combined for more than 151 points in their last four meetings. The average total in their matchups since 2023 is 141 points.

Despite the defensive pedigree, the new roster appeared inconsistent during exhibition play. The team will likely need time for the new players to adjust. The model enters the season on an 11-1 run with its top-rated over/under picks and a 28-22 run on its top-rated side selections.