Tennessee has another non-conference date set for Nashville this season, according to Jon Rothstein. The Volunteers will face N.C. State in the Music City, setting up a clash between Rick Barnes and his former assistant coach Justin Gainey. Gainey left following the end of the season to take the head coaching job with the Wolfpack.
Gainey is a former point guard for N.C. State and spent five seasons coaching under Barnes in Knoxville. He takes over for Will Wade, who bolted for the LSU job earlier
this offseason.
Tennessee faced Illinois last season at Bridgestone Arena. They last faced N.C. State back in 2023 in a neutral site game down in San Antonio.
Add the Wolfpack to another loaded slate of non-conference games for the Volunteers. Tennessee will travel to Purdue for a true road game, along with taking part in the Player’s Era Tournament. That will provide the Vols with an additional three premier non-conference games. Tennessee is also set to host a game in the SEC-ACC Challenge this season.
Tennessee is 5-7 all time against N.C. State, with the first meeting coming way back in 1929.
