Tennessee men's basketball prepares for preseason exhibition against Xavier

The Tennessee men's basketball team is scheduled to host the Xavier Musketeers in a preseason exhibition game this Thursday at the Food City Center. The matchup follows a successful 2025-26 season for the Volunteers, which included 25 victories and consecutive appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

Head coach Rick Barnes indicated that the starting lineup remains undecided as the team evaluates practice performance. Barnes noted that the roster features significant depth, with approximately 10 players performing at a similar level, making it difficult to establish a fixed rotation. He suggested that the starting five could change frequently throughout the season based on player availability, motivation, and performance.