NC State to Face Tennessee in Neutral Site Showdown Next Season

According to reports, NC State men’s basketball will face Tennessee in a neutral-site game next season. The date has not yet been finalized.

The matchup adds an interesting layer in Year 1 for Justin Gainey, who will go head-to-head with his former boss, Rick Barnes. Gainey spent the past five seasons on Barnes’ staff at Tennessee, including the last four as associate head coach.

Historically, NC State holds a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to March 1, 1929.

However, Tennessee has taken control recently, winning the last two matchups, including a 79-70 win in San Antonio in the Basketball Hall of Fame game in their last matchup on December 16th, 2023.

From a scheduling standpoint, this is a significant addition for NC State.

Tennessee has been one of the most consistent programs in the country, finishing in the final AP Top 25 in each of the past five seasons. The Volunteers have landed in the Top 15 four times during that stretch, including three Top 5 finishes.

It’s the type of non-conference game that not only tests a roster early but also strengthens a résumé when March rolls around.