KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - We are in the thick of football, but basketball season is almost here.

Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball addressed the media at SEC Tipoff 2026 on Wednesday. Both the Vols and Lady Vols are ranked in the Top 20 of the preseason AP Polls.

The Volunteers are coming off back-to-back Elite 8 appearances as Rick Barnes enters his 11th season at the helm. Tennessee is ranked No. 18 in the preseason AP Poll.

The Vols hit the court on Oct. 26 with an exhibition at home against Duke. The season officially starts on Nov. 3 with a home matchup against Mercer.

“Well I am not big into rankings, I never have been,” Barnes said. “I don’t think any of us, deep down inside, we know what we really have until we start competing. I like to think every game we go into we have

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