# Tennessee men's basketball preseason preparations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tennessee-mens-basketball-preseason-preparations
> Updated: 2026-10-14T20:16:25.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 3.

The Tennessee men’s basketball program is preparing for the upcoming season through media engagements and preseason exhibition play.

During preparations for the SEC Media Days, head coach Rick Barnes identified freshman point guard Marquis Clark as a potential contributor due to his toughness and defensive skills. The team also named DeWayne Brown II, Terrence Hill Jr., and newcomer Tyler Lundblade as player representatives for the media event.

As the team moved toward a preseason exhibition game against the Xavier Musketeers at the Food City Center, coach Barnes noted that the starting lineup remained undecided due to significant roster depth. Following an exhibition loss to Xavier, Barnes noted that the team struggled with offensive production and emphasized a need for improved guarding and defensive consistency.

Regarding personnel changes, Barnes addressed the departure of former assistant coach Justin Gainey, who left to become the head coach of the NC State Wolfpack. Barnes described Gainey as a “great evaluator and a person of high character.”

In injury updates, guard Tyler Lundblade has returned to full-speed team practices following back surgery performed in August. The former Belmont transfer is currently working to regain conditioning as the team continues its preparations.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-14: Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes discusses team updates

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes discusses an exhibition loss to Xavier, the departure of assistant Justin Gainey to NC State, and the return of guard Tyler Lundblade to full practice following surgery.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tennessee-basketball-coach-rick-barnes-discusses-team-updates

### 2026-10-13: Tennessee men's basketball prepares for preseason exhibition against Xavier

Tennessee men's basketball hosts Xavier in a preseason exhibition game as coach Rick Barnes evaluates his starting lineup.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tennessee-mens-basketball-prepares-for-preseason-exhibition-against-xavier

### 2026-10-09: Tennessee basketball prepares for SEC Media Days and preseason

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes highlighted freshman Marquis Clark as a potential impact player, while the program named DeWayne Brown II, Terrence Hill Jr., and Tyler Lundblade as SEC Media Day reps.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tennessee-basketball-prepares-for-sec-media-days-and-preseason

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Cite as: Tennessee men's basketball preseason preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tennessee-mens-basketball-preseason-preparations