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Vols to play at UNC in SEC/ACC Challenge

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•06/28/23•

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 12 Vanderbilt at Tennessee
(Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire)

Tennessee will face North Carolina in the annual SEC/ACC challenge, ESPN and the SEC announced on Wednesday. 

The Vols will travel to Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels on Wednesday, November 29th at 7pm. 

The Lady Vols will take on Notre Dame as a part of the challenge hosting the Irish on Wednesday, November 29th at 5pm. 

Rick Barnes is no stranger to the Tar Heels having faced them annually while at Clemson and verbally sparing with hall of fame coach Dean Smith on more than one occasion. The verbal jousting got so intense that the ACC Commissioner called both to his office to tell them to knock it off. 

Since Barnes’ arrival at Tennessee, the Vols have tussled with the Tar Heels. In fact the two teams played each other in Chapel Hill in 2016-2017 season with the Vols falling 73-71. 

The pre-conference schedule for the Vols in 2023-24 is strong with the Vols playing at Wisconsin, in the Maui Invitational, at North Carolina, hosting Illinois, and playing NC State in the Hall of Fame game in San Antonio, Texas on December 16th. 

Tennessee is heading to Europe for exhibition play as the Vols work on their chemistry in an overhauled roster. The Vols welcomed five newcomers this month including three transfers in Jordan Gainey, Dalton Knecht, and Chris Ledlum. 

The Vols are welcoming back a veteran backcourt in Josiah Jordan-James and Santiago Vescovi. Point guard Zakai Zeigler is also experienced but is working his way back from a torn ACL. 

Last season the Vols went 25-11 and made it to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to cinderella Florida Atlantic 62-55 in Madison Square Garden in the East Regional semifinals. 

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