Our SEC basketball non-conference schedule analysis series rolls along with an in-depth look at Tennessee’s opponents for the 2018-19 season.
The Vols return their top six scorers from an SEC co-regular season champion team, so there’s no doubt that there are Final Four aspirations for Grant Williams and company.
Let’s look at the full slate of non-conference opponents for the Vols this season.
For Tennessee’s entire regular season schedule, visit the team’s official website.
vs. Lenoir-Rhyne (Nov. 6)
2017-18 Record: 11-16
Season Outlook:
My Lenoir-Rhyne sources are limited, but I can tell you that the Bears beat The Citadel 97-83 in an exhibition game last year.
vs. Louisiana (Nov. 9)
2017-18 Record: 27-7
Season Outlook:
The reigning Sun Belt regular season champions play at Tennessee and at Kansas in a span of seven days, so that’ll tell us a lot about Bob Marlin’s squad.
JaKeenan Gant will once again be a force on both sides of the court after averaging 13.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game – a stat line that earned him defensive player of the year honors in the conference.
Another starter returns in facilitating point guard Marcus Stroman (6.8 ppg, 6.5 apg), and the biggest question mark for the Rajun Cajuns may be whether they can continue to rebound in a highly effective way (16th nationally in rebounding margin) after losing Bryce Washington.
vs. Georgia Tech (Nov. 13)
2017-18 Record: 13-19
Season Outlook:
After capturing 21 wins in his first season in Atlanta, the realities of rebuilding have set in for Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner.
The Yellow Jackets will proceed without three of their four double-digit scorers from last season, including first-round draft pick Josh Okogie.
Of course, the Vols will see a familiar face in this particular matchup as former starter Shembari Phillips (6.2 ppg, 20.8 mpg) returns to the court after sitting out last year.
vs. Louisville (Nov. 21, NIT Season Tip-Off)
2017-18 Record: 22-14
Season Outlook:
Chris Mack takes over for the Cardinals, and while there’s plenty to replace, there’s reason for optimism in year one.
Mack’s Xavier teams were always efficient on offense and aggressive on defense, and that’ll likely be the theme at Louisville even if there are some early stumbling blocks.
VJ King is the team’s returning scorer at 8.6 points per game, but the addition of three grad transfers (including former Tennessee commit Khwan Fore) and UConn transfer center Steven Enoch will make the Cardinals’ development process intriguing to follow.
vs. Kansas or Marquette (Nov. 23, NIT Season Tip-Off)
2017-18 Record: Kansas 31-8, Marquette 21-14
Season Outlook:
Kansas is the top team in the country entering the new campaign, and Bill Self will benefit from the addition of Memphis transfers Dedric and KJ Lawson.
Meanwhile, Marquette has the look of a Big East title contender thanks to the return of explosive scorer Markus Howard (20.4 ppg) and three other starters from last year’s 21-win squad.
vs. Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 28)
2017-18 Record: 11-20
Season Outlook:
Nick Mayo is going to be a joy to watch once again for the Colonels after he averaged 18.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He also shot 52.6 percent from the floor, 44.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 83.9 percent from the free-throw line.
He’ll undoubtedly be an OVC player of the year candidate, and how newcomers Jordan Oakley and Kelvin Robinson fit into the mix may determine this team’s ceiling.
vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Dec. 2)
2017-18 Record: 11-18
Season Outlook:
Last season’s record is rather deceiving for the Islanders, who dealt with injuries problems all year.
However, the biggest concern will be finding a player the caliber of Ehab Amin since he transferred to Oregon after sitting out last year due to hip surgery.
The team finished 332nd in offensive efficiency and turned it over 15.9 times per contest (348th nationally), which are two areas that certainly have to improve.
vs. Gonzaga (Dec. 9, Jerry Colangelo Classic)
2017-18 Record: 32-5
Season Outlook:
The Zags enter the season ranked No. 3 in the country, and it should surprise no one if this is the year that Mark Few finally claims his first national title.
Not only does he bring back four players that averaged between 11.6 and 12.9 points per game, but he adds San Jose transfer Brandon Clarke (17.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg in ’16-17) and North Dakota grad transfer Geno Crandall (16.6 ppg, 41.7 percent 3PT).
This once again another potential top five or top 10 showdown for the Vols.
at Memphis (Dec. 15)
2017-18 Record: 21-13
Season Outlook:
The rivalry between the Vols and Tigers is officially back and joining it will be new Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. The former NBA star has already put his stamp on the program by adding a top-30 class for this year that’s filled with versatile playmakers in the backcourt.
Leading scorer Jeremiah Martin (18.9 ppg) is also back, which gives Hardaway and his staff an excellent chance to create havoc and be a potential AAC sleeper right away.
vs. Samford (Dec. 19)
2017-18 Record: 10-22
Season Outlook:
After being picked as a Southern Conference title favorite a season ago, the Bulldogs won just 10 games and finished 349th nationally in defensive efficiency after dealing with numerous injuries.
Scott Padgett must replace all five starters from that team, and he’ll rely on junior playmaker Josh Sharkey (7.3 ppg, 5.1 apg) to drive Samford back up the SoCon ladder.
Alabama transfer Brandon Austin and 7-0 redshirt senior Ruben Guerrero should be vital in fixing the defensive woes.
vs. Wake Forest (Dec. 22)
2017-18 Record: 11-20
Season Outlook:
Danny Manning has struggled to turn a corner with the Demon Deacons, as the program has only won more than 13 games just once in his four-year tenure.
Expectations for this season may not be all that much higher with three double-digit scorers gone and only three 15-plus minute players returning.
However, the good news is that Manning compiled a top-25 recruiting class, and he’ll need them to contribute right away if Wake Forest wants to be competitive in the always challenging ACC.
vs. Tennessee Tech (Dec. 29)
2017-18 Record: 19-14
Season Outlook:
The Golden Eagles ranked fourth in KenPom’s experience category last season, but that might not be the case this year after losing four starters.
There’s good depth in the frontcourt with Courtney Alexander II (6.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and South Florida grad transfer Malik Martin leading the way, but the lack of experience in the backcourt could prove to be an issue.
vs. West Virginia (Jan. 26, SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
2017-18 Record: 26-11
Season Outlook:
By the time this game rolls around, it could be a legitimate top-five matchup given what we know about both teams.
Bob Huggins has to replace guys like Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles, but the return of dominant forward Sagabe Konate (10.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg) is huge.
As is typically the case, the Mountaineers will try to impose their will on the defensive side of the court after finishing 10th nationally in forcing 16.5 turnovers per game last season.
Overall Schedule Analysis
With several matchups against potential top 10 teams, the Vols will yet again be well-tested heading into the rigors of SEC play.
What stood out about Tennessee last season was its toughness on the road, as Barnes’ team won 13 games away from Thompson Boling Arena.
That same type of toughness should be on display this season, and it’s one of the main reasons why the Vols appear to be a legitimate national title contender.