No. 1 Tennessee (12-0) defeated Middle Tennessee State (9-4), 82-64, on Monday at Food City Center.
Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
Following the Vols’ in-state win, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes discussed sophomore guard Cameron Carr leaving the program before the game.
Barnes said he had “no idea” what went into Carr’s decision to transfer and that the 6-foot-6, 189-pound guard “walked out.”
“No, not really,” Barnes said when asked if there are any advantages in leaving mid-season. “I think they probably didn’t understand the rule. I don’t know that, but that is what I would assume. We were, obviously, counting on him being part of the team. Surprised his teammates. They were very disappointed, so from here on, there is nothing to really talk about. He made his decision, no reason, it’s baffling to be quite honest with you.”
Carr appeared in 18 games for the Vols since 2023. He averaged 2.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.
2024-25 Tennessee basketball schedule results
Oct. 27 versus Indiana (L, 66-62 — exhibition)
Nov. 4 versus Gardner-Webb (W, 80-64)
Nov. 9 at Louisville (W, 77-55)
Nov. 13 versus Montana (W, 92-57)
Nov. 17 versus Austin Peay (W, 103-68)
Nov. 21 versus Virginia (W, 64-42 — Naussau, Bahamas)
Nov. 22 versus Baylor (W, 77-62 — Naussau, Bahamas)
Nov. 27 versus UT Martin (W, 78-35)
Dec. 3 versus Syracuse (W, 96-70)
Dec. 10 versus Miami (W, 75-62 — New York, New York)
Dec. 14 at Illinois (W, 66-64)
Dec. 17 versus Western Carolina (W, 84-36)
Dec. 23 versus Middle Tennessee State (W, 82-64)
