Basketball season is in full swing in Knoxville. The Lady Vols and Vols will compete in a total of five games, four of which are at home. Football will also host the last night game of the year, taking on Mississippi State for homecoming.
Here’s a look at Tennessee athletics this week.
Nov. 7: Men’s tennis at ITA Sectionals
Men’s tennis will compete in the ITA Sectionals starting on Thursday. This four-day tournament will serve as a qualifier for the NCAA Individuals Championship, with the individual winner securing a berth.
Tennessee enjoyed success at the LSU Invitational last weekend, winning a total of 14 matches. Alejandro Moreno, Alan Jesudason and Shunsuke Mitsu each won four matches. Moreno and Jesudason both finished undefeated as well.
Nov. 7: Women’s tennis at ITA Fall National Championships
Women’s tennis will compete at the ITA Fall National Championships starting Thursday. The Lady Vols have had a strong start to the season, which was continued last weekend at the Rome Tennis Center Collegiate Classic. They posted 17 total wins — 15 singles and two doubles.
Tennessee’s freshman class showed out, with Elim Yan and Conley Raidt both winning five singles matches and a doubles match. Transfer Maeve Thornton has also been consistent, notching three singles wins and a doubles win last weekend.
Nov. 7: Women’s basketball vs. UT Martin — one “T-Credit” opportunity
The Women’s basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday, facing the UT Martin Skyhawks (0-1). The Lady Vols impressed in their exhibition win against Carson-Newman, winning 135-49 last week. The Skyhawks played their first regular season game on Monday, falling 63-66 against North Alabama.
Tennessee hasn’t played the Skyhawks since 2012, when they won 72-49. The Lady Vols are 14-2 against UT Martin, winning the last 14 games after losing the first two in 1971 and 1972.
Students who attend this game will earn one “T-Credit.”
Nov. 8: Volleyball vs. LSU — one “T-Credit” opportunity
The Lady Vols (11-9, 4-6 SEC) will return to Thompson-Boling Arena after splitting their last two games on the road. Tennessee has played well at home, posting a 6-2 record. Road struggles have been an issue for the Lady Vols this year, posting a mere 5-7 record. Luckily for the Lady Vols, five of their six remaining games are at home.
Tennessee is 31-40 against the LSU Tigers (13-8, 5-5), although the Lady Vols are 7-1 in their last eight meetings. The Lady Vols have also fared well against the Tigers at home, posting a 20-17 record.
Students who attend this match will earn one “T-Credit.”
Nov. 9: Men’s basketball at Louisville
The Vols (1-0) will travel to Kentucky to face the Louisville Cardinals (1-0) for their second game of the season. Tennessee started its season with an 80-64 win over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs on Monday night. The Cardinals finished last season 8-24 and 3-17 in ACC play, so this will likely be another easy afternoon for Tennessee.
The Vols are 8-12 against the Cardinals, with the last matchup coming in 2018. The Cardinals have dominated since 2001, winning five of the six matchups between the two. Tennessee hopes to turn a page in this matchup and get out with a big win.
Nov. 9: Football vs. Mississippi State
The Vols (7-1, 4-1 SEC) will host the last SEC home game on Saturday night against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-7, 0-5). Tennessee has been building momentum after winning its last three games as the playoffs approach. Mississippi State, on the other hand, has had a disappointing season, losing to Toledo and Arizona State earlier this year.
Tennessee will need to stay focused on this game and not get caught up looking ahead. Although the Bulldogs have been at the bottom of the SEC this year, they only lost to Georgia and Texas A&M by a combined 20 points this season. If Tennessee comes out unprepared and looking ahead to Georgia next week, Mississippi State could have a chance to put up a fight in Knoxville.
These two teams haven’t squared off since the 2019 season, with Tennessee winning 20-10. The Vols have the advantage in the series, leading 29-16. Tennessee has also won seven of the last eight, dating back to 1995.
Nov. 10: Volleyball vs. Texas A&M — one “T-Credit” opportunity
The Lady Vols will continue their home stand against Texas A&M (15-5, 6-4 SEC). Both teams will play games the Friday before, but the Aggies will have to travel to Lexington to face No. 14 Kentucky. Look for a quick start by the Vols to catch Texas A&M on its heels in this crucial SEC matchup.
Tennessee is 13-12 against the Aggies and is on a three-game win streak. The Lady Vols haven’t been able to find an upper hand in the series at home, posting a 6-6 record after winning four of the last five in Knoxville.
Students who attend this match will earn one “T-Credit.”
Nov. 12: Women’s basketball vs. Middle Tennessee State — one “T-Credit” opportunity
The Lady Vols will host the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (1-0) Tuesday night. This game will be another leg of the Lady Vols’ long stay at home that lasts until early December. The Blue Raiders and the Lady Vols received the same amount of AP Top 25 votes heading into the season with three.
Tennessee is 22-1 against MTSU. The only loss of the series came last year when the Lady Vols lost 73-62 at home.
Students who attend this game will earn one “T-Credit.”
Nov. 13: Men’s Basketball vs Montana – one “T-Credit” opportunity
The Vols will host the Montana Grizzlies (1-0) for their second home game of the year. Tennessee will be well-rested after its Saturday afternoon game with Louisville. The Grizzlies will be tested with major jet lag after traveling east for this game.
This will be the first matchup between these two teams.
Students who attend this game will earn one “T-Credit.”
