The No. 8-ranked Tennessee Volunteers begin a new college basketball season on Tuesday night against the Wofford Terriers, looking to put a pair of disappointing exhibition performances behind them before the games start counting.
The Volunteers suffered a 16-point home loss to Xavier in their first exhibition before getting blown out 103-64 by Duke in Durham. Those results have raised some early questions about a Tennessee team that enters the season ranked among the nation’s top 10 despite considerable changes to its roster.
Head coach Rick Barnes is coming off another successful campaign in Knoxville. Tennessee finished 25-12 last season, reaching the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight for the third consecutive year before falling to the eventual champions in Michigan. However, the Vols return just 7% of last season’s scoring, with DeWayne Brown II among the few familiar faces back for another season.
Barnes has added several notable transfers, including Juke Harris from Wake Forest, Dai Dai Ames from California and Jalen Haralson from Notre Dame, as Tennessee attempts to replace much of its production from a year ago.
Wofford also enters the new season with a revamped lineup after finishing 19-13 overall and 11-7 in Southern Conference play last year. Second-year head coach Kevin Giltner returns just four players, including Chace Watley, who averaged 9.7 points per game and earned preseason All-SoCon recognition.
The Terriers showed some encouraging signs in their exhibition against Virginia Tech, narrowly falling 78-76 to the Hokies.
Tuesday’s matchup also marks the first meeting between these programs since the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, when Tennessee defeated Wofford 77-62. The Volunteers are 9-0 all-time against the Terriers.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at the Food City Center in Knoxville, with television coverage on the SEC Network.
Wofford vs. Tennessee Odds Today
Tennessee is a massive 25.5-point favorite over Wofford in Tuesday’s season opener at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Tennessee -25.5 (+105) | Wofford +25.5 (-120)
- Total: Over 156.5 (-110) | Under 156.5 (-110)
Referenced odds subject to change.
Wofford vs. Tennessee Prediction
Wofford +25.5 (-120): I’m taking the points with Wofford on Tuesday night, primarily because of what Tennessee showed us in its two exhibition losses.
The Volunteers were beaten 86-70 by Xavier at home on October 15 before suffering an even more lopsided 103-64 defeat against Duke five days later. Tennessee struggled offensively in both contests, particularly against the Blue Devils, shooting just 33.9% from the field and 22.2% from three-point range.
Exhibition results don’t always carry over into the regular season, but those performances are difficult to ignore when Tennessee is being asked to cover a spread of more than 25 points.
Barnes is working with an almost entirely new rotation after losing the bulk of last season’s production. The Volunteers have added some talented players through the transfer portal, but getting everyone on the same page is going to take time.
There’s also something to be said for Wofford’s performance against Virginia Tech. The Terriers lost their exhibition 78-76, showing they can compete with a P5 opponent despite undergoing significant roster changes of their own.
Tennessee certainly has the talent advantage and should be expected to win comfortably at home. The Volunteers have also been excellent in home openers under Barnes, winning 10 of 11 entering Tuesday. But winning the game and covering a 25.5-point spread are two very different things.
Between Tennessee’s preseason struggles and the amount of turnover on both rosters, I’m willing to take my chances with Wofford keeping this one within the number.
- Best Bet: Wofford +25.5 (-120)
Betting Splits at Hard Rock Bet
- Spread: Tennessee has attracted 64% of spread tickets and 75% of the money wagered at -25.5.
- Total: The Under has received 51% of all bets and 51% of the handle.
Wofford vs. Tennessee Game Info
- šļø Location: Food City Center – Knoxville, Tennessee
- š Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- ā° Start Time: 6 p.m. ET
- šŗ Where to Watch: SEC Network
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