KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team has announced its 2020-21 nonconference basketball schedule.
One date has been left open and that is likely to be the Volunteers’ showdown with Gonzaga in the Jimmy V. Classic on Dec. 8 in Madison Square Garden.
For the first time in coach Rick Banes’ tenure, Tennessee will open the season away from the friendly confines of Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Vols tip the season against Wisconsin in Madison on Nov. 11. In that game, Barnes and the Big Orange will look to avenge last season’s loss to the Badgers in Knoxville.
Tennessee will also play Memphis in a neutral-site tilt at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. That contest will conclude the current three-year series between the two in-state rivals. UT beat the Tigers in Memphis during the 2018-19 campaign, and Memphis prevailed in Knoxville last season.
The nonconference slate includes an appearance in the Charleston Classic Nov. 19-22. There the Vols will play three games on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Teams in the field include the Vols, tournament host College of Charleston, Florida State, Houston, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Seton Hall and Virginia Commonwealth.
The bracket for the event has yet to be set.
Other marquee games include a home tilt against Cincinnati on Dec. 12 and the home opener against Presbyterian on Nov. 14. On the same day, the UT football team is scheduled to play at Georgia.
The Big Orange will also host an SEC/Big 12 Challenge game against an opponent to be determined.
Tennessee also has nonconference home games against Tennessee Tech (Nov. 27), George Washington (Dec. 2), South Carolina-Upstate (Dec. 22) and Norfolk State (Dec. 29).