No. 12 Tennessee (1-0) tipped off its 2024-25 college basketball season on Monday at Food City Center. Rankings reflect the preseason USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
The Vols defeated Gardner-Webb (0-1), 80-64. 17,813 were in attendance.
Chaz Lanier led Tennessee in scoring with 18 points. He converted 7-of-12 field goal attempts and 4-of-6 three-point attempts.
Felix Okpara was Tennessee’s leading rebounder (9), while Zakai Zeigler led the Vols with nine assists.
Jahmai Mashack recorded four steals for the Vols.
Tennessee totaled 29 bench points, 38 points in the paint, 20 points off turnovers, seven second chance points and 13 fast break points.
The Vols never trailed and led for all but 1:04 during the game time.
Tennessee will next play at Louisville on Saturday (noon EST, ACCN).