Tennessee basketball announces future series with Big Ten power
By Mark Kern
Published:
Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee basketball has become one of the most consistent programs in college basketball. The Volunteers have done a tremendous job of challenging themselves in the non-conference, as Barnes has shown that he will play anybody, anywhere.
On Wednesday, Barnes showed just that as the Volunteers announced that they will be doing a home-and-home series with Purdue. Next year’s game will be at the Mackey Arena, with the return game being in Knoxville in 2027.
There isn’t a ton of travel for the two teams, as Knoxville and West Lafayette are just over 400 miles away from each other. Despite the close proximity, the two schools have played only seven times, with Purdue winning five of the games.
The last time that the Volunteers and Boilermakers played was in the Elite Eight in 2024, with Purdue winning the game 72-65.
Both of the teams figure to be in contention for another Elite Eight appearance during this season. The Boilermakers are the preseason No. 1 team in college basketball, while the Volunteers are currently ranked 18th.
The Volunteers are 1-0 after beating Mercer 76-61 on Monday, while the Boilermakers won their season-opener against Evansville 82-51 on Tuesday night.
