No. 6 Tennessee will start the 2018-19 season with a matchup against Lenoir-Rhyne, an NCAA Division II school that plays in the South Atlantic Conference.
The Vols were stellar in their only exhibition contest in the preseason, dominating from start to finish in an 87-48 victory over Tusculum.
Rick Barnes returns his top six scorers from last year’s 26-win campaign while also adding 4-star center DJ Burns.
Lenoir-Rhyne finished 11-16 overall last season and was picked fifth in the SAC preseason coaches poll.
Game Details
- Game Date: Nov. 6
- Game Time: 7 p.m. EST
- Watch: SEC Network
Players to Watch
Grant Williams (Tennessee)
After winning the award last year, Williams was voted SEC preseason player of the year heading into the season.
He averaged 15.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game last season, and there’s little doubt that he’ll once again be the center of attention of opponents.
His efficiency is what makes him such a difficult matchup, as he shot 49.7 percent from the floor in averaging 11.1 field goals per game.
Williams also made the most of his 212 trips to the free-throw line in shooting 76.4 percent.
Admiral Schofield (Tennessee)
Schofield was an All-SEC Second Team selection in the preseason, which was certainly warranted after an excellent junior season in Knoxville.
The 6-5 forward led the team in rebounds (6.4 rpg) while pitching in 13.9 points in 28.1 minutes.
He’s one of the most versatile forwards in the SEC, and Barnes will be able to use him in various lineups and rotations this season.
Of course, he’s also progressed as a 3-point shooter, knocking down 64 shots from long range last year at a 39.5 percent rate.
Key Stats
Tennessee finished sixth nationally in defensive efficiency last season and continued that effort in holding Tusculum to 34.0 percent shooting in the exhibition game.
The Vols are one of the toughest teams in the country, and their continued focus on the defensive side of the court will cause problems for teams at all levels.
Game Outlook
- KenPom Projection: Tennessee, 100 percent chance to win
- ESPN BPI Projection: Tennessee, 99.1 percent chance to win
Tennessee is obviously the huge favorite here, and it seems unlikely that the excellent returning core will let their guard down as the new season gets underway.
Game Pick: Tennessee
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