Tennessee basketball to face former assistant in Nashville
Tennessee basketball to face former assistant in Nashville
Tennessee basketball to face former assistant in NashvilleDan Harralson, Vols WireFri, May 29, 2026·1 min read
Tennessee and North Carolina State will play a nonconference basketball game during the 2026-27 season. The Vols and Wolfpack will play Dec. 6 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
A game time and TV information for the matchup will be announced on a later date.
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Former Tennessee assistant coach Justin Gainey is in his first season as North Carolina State’s head coach. He served as an associate coach for the Vols from 2022-26 and an assistant coach from 2021-22.
"I'm humbled and honored to be the head coach of the N.C. State men's basketball program," Gainey said after being hired by the Wolfpack. "This university helped build me as a player and as a person. To now lead it as head coach is truly a full-circle moment. There's a responsibility that comes with leading your alma mater, and I embrace it fully.
"We're going to honor our tradition, represent this university the right way, and build a program our Wolfpack family can be proud of. This place means everything to me. I wore the jersey with pride, and now I'll lead this program with that same passion, toughness and commitment to winning that defines the Wolfpack."
Tennessee is 22-16 all time at Bridgestone Arena, including 14-13 in SEC Tournament games. The Vols are also 128-102 all time against current ACC members.
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)Feb. 28, 2026; South Bend, Indiana; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jalen Haralson (10) drives as NC State Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland (11) defends during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. (Michael Caterina-Imagn Images)Belmont's Tyler Lundblade, right, shoots against Bradley in the second half of its MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade converted eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins, 80-77. (Matt Dayhoff/USA TODAY Network)March 15, 2025; Washington, D.C.; Loyola Chicago Ramblers center Miles Rubin (24) shoots the ball as VCU Rams forward Luke Bamgboye (9) defends in the first half in a semifinal of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)Dai Dai Ames #7 of the California Golden Bears dribbles the ball against Elias Rapieque #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half at Bramlage Coliseum on November 13, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Peter Aiken, Getty Images)1 / 5
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
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Feb. 28, 2026; South Bend, Indiana; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jalen Haralson (10) drives as NC State Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland (11) defends during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. (Michael Caterina-Imagn Images)
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
Belmont's Tyler Lundblade, right, shoots against Bradley in the second half of its MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade converted eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins, 80-77. (Matt Dayhoff/USA TODAY Network)
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 15, 2025; Washington, D.C.; Loyola Chicago Ramblers center Miles Rubin (24) shoots the ball as VCU Rams forward Luke Bamgboye (9) defends in the first half in a semifinal of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
Dai Dai Ames #7 of the California Golden Bears dribbles the ball against Elias Rapieque #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half at Bramlage Coliseum on November 13, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Peter Aiken, Getty Images)
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