Tennessee and NC State to Clash in Season Opener

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The No. 8/9 Tennessee Lady Volunteers will kick off their 2025-26 basketball season against No. 9/8 NC State on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. The game will take place at the First Horizon Coliseum as part of the Ro Greensboro Invitational.

This matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and available on Lady Vol Network radio stations, and fans can stream it at UTSports.com. Tennessee comes into this season opener with momentum after a decisive 148-48 victory over Columbus State in an exhibition game last week in Knoxville.

NC State, meanwhile, also enters the match with confidence after winning two exhibition contests. The Wolfpack defeated High Point, 77-69, and then topped No. 10/10 Maryland, 83-75, to prepare for the season. Last season, NC State posted a strong overall record of 28-7, sharing the ACC regular-season title and reaching the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee finished last season with a record of 24-10 and also reached the Sweet 16, where they lost to Texas 67-59. The Lady Vols finished the previous season ranked No. 15/16, while NC State closed out the year ranked No. 9/10.

The Lady Volunteers have a series advantage over the Wolfpack, leading 12-4 in their all-time encounters. However, NC State claimed victory in their last meeting, winning 79-72 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year.

Notably, Tennessee’s impressive exhibition performance against Columbus State showcased their depth, with seven players scoring in double digits. Jersey Wolfenbarger, Nya Robertson, and Mia Pauldo each scored 18 points, while Janiah Barker added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

As the teams prepare to face off, fans eagerly await what promises to be an exciting and competitive kickoff to the college basketball season.