Tennessee Faces Rice in Key Hoops Showdown

The Tennessee Volunteers (3-0), ranked 20th in the national AP Poll and 17th in the Coaches Poll, are set to meet the Rice Owls (2-2) at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game live on SEC Network and the ESPN app, with Mike Morgan and Dane Bradshaw providing commentary. In addition, local Vol Network affiliates will feature Mike Keith along with analysts Chris Lofton and John Wilkerson.

Tennessee’s Strong Start to the Season

Tennessee began the 2025-26 season emphatically with three consecutive victories. Their latest win was a commanding 99-66 defeat of North Florida. Freshman forward Nate Ament has shone brightly, earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors after averaging 20.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in his first three games.

Series History

• Tennessee and Rice have a historical rivalry with four prior meetings from 1951 to 1963.
• Tennessee holds a 1-3 overall record against Rice.
• Rice finished the previous season with a record of 13-19 and was ranked No. 12 in the AAC preseason poll.

Key Player for Rice

The Owls are led by graduate guard Trae Broadnax, who averages 16.5 points per game. His performance will be crucial as Rice looks to overcome their history against Tennessee.

Coaching Analyses and Insights

Rick Barnes, head coach of the Volunteers, has demonstrated success against teams in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), holding an impressive 26-7 record against current members. Notably, he holds a perfect 9-0 record against Rice, which he achieved while coaching at Texas.

Rob Lanier, the current Rice head coach, previously served under Barnes at Tennessee and Texas, making this matchup particularly intriguing.

Recent Achievements and Future Goals

• Tennessee finished the last season ranked in the top five of the AP Poll, Coaches Poll, and KenPom, marking it their best standing.
• The Volunteers aim to continue their dominance, as they have won 39 consecutive non-conference games since December 2020.
• They are currently the only school alongside Alabama and Houston to have reached the Sweet 16 in the last three NCAA tournaments.

Player Development

Nate Ament has emerged as a formidable force, making him a vital player for Tennessee. He stands alongside fellow freshman J.P. Estrella, who has also made a strong comeback this season.

As Tennessee gears up to face Rice, their undefeated record and strong performances from emerging players make them favorites in this matchup, ensuring a competitive game at Food City Center.