Get ready for a basketball bonanza, Tennessee fans! This Saturday morning, the Vols are throwing open the doors to Food City Center for a free, action-packed scrimmage at 11:30 a.m. ET, giving you a sneak peek at the team before the football squad takes on Arkansas at Neyland Stadium later that day. But here's where it gets exciting: this isn't just any scrimmage—it's your chance to see the Vols in action before they face off against Duke in a sold-out exhibition game on October 26 at 7 p.m. ET, airing live on ESPN2. And this is the part most people miss: Tennessee and Duke have a storied history, with the Vols holding an 8-8 record against the Blue Devils since 1911, including a thrilling 65-52 win in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The scrimmage, announced Wednesday via the team’s social media (https://x.com/Vol_Hoops), is a rare opportunity to watch the team up close, with doors opening at 11 a.m. But don’t get too comfortable—next Saturday, Ohio State will visit Knoxville for a closed scrimmage, keeping the preseason momentum going.
Coach Rick Barnes is particularly fired up about the Duke exhibition. “I’m excited about it, obviously, for a lot of different reasons,” he said. “It’s going to be good. And again, I appreciate Duke coming here. We’ll both get a lot out of it.” But here’s where it gets controversial: Barnes believes college basketball needs more preseason games, arguing they could reduce injuries and improve the overall season. “I wish we could play four or five of those exhibition games,” he added. “I think it would cut down on injuries and make the year even better.” Do you agree with Coach Barnes? Should the NCAA expand preseason play, or is the current schedule just right?
Looking ahead, the Vols kick off their regular season against Mercer on November 3, dive into SEC play at Arkansas on January 3, and wrap up at home against Vanderbilt on March 7. Their non-conference slate is no cakewalk, featuring matchups against powerhouses like Houston, Louisville, Illinois, and Syracuse.
Tennessee’s fanbase continues to show up in force, selling out their 14,500 season tickets for the third straight year—the seventh consecutive season at full capacity. But here’s a bold question: With such a passionate fanbase, why aren’t more preseason games open to the public?
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Duke exhibition on October 26—it’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss event. And if you’re craving more Vols action, subscribe to the Daily On3 Newsletter for updates straight to your inbox. Just click “Subscribe to Newsletter” and agree to On3's Privacy Notice (https://www.on3.com/page/privacy-policy/) and Terms (https://www.on3.com/page/terms-of-service/).
What are your thoughts on the preseason schedule? Should the NCAA allow more exhibition games, or is the current format perfect? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
