ACC , Duke MBB

Duke vs Tennessee: How to Watch, Time, TV channel & Series History.

Duke will host Tennessee in an exhibition at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The tip is set for 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network, with the preseason rankings listing No. 7 Tennessee at No. 2 Duke. Tennessee’s own schedule also lists the game at 7 p.m. on ACCN.

How to watch: ACC Network, which is available through the ACC Network streaming and cable or live-TV providers that carry it.

Radio and announcers: I couldn’t find a confirmed radio network or broadcast crew for this game. Check Duke’s athletics site or the ACC Network listing closer to tip-off.

Series History

Duke won last year’s meeting. The Blue Devils beat the Volunteers 83-76 in an exhibition in Knoxville last season.

It’s a rare Durham matchup. The two teams haven’t met inside Cameron Indoor since 1975, when Tennessee won 86-80.

Who to Watch: Duke

Duke’s scrimmage against Belmont last week gave a preview of the rotation:

  • Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje: The 17-year-old freshman center scored 19 points, with two threes, two blocks and seven rebounds.
  • Dame Sarr: He tied for the team lead in scoring with strong defense and shooting.
  • John Blackwell: The Wisconsin transfer scored 17 and is praised as a locker-room connector.
  • Cayden Boozer and Patrick Ngongba II: Boozer had 12 points, and Ngongba had five points and three blocks.
  • Depth: Duke used a 10-player rotation, and seniors Caleb Foster and Drew Scharnowski are still returning from injury.

Who to Watch: Tennessee

I didn’t find a confirmed Tennessee roster or injury report for this season. Coach Rick Barnes is bringing in a reloaded roster for 2026-27. The Vols play an exhibition against Xavier on Oct. 15 before heading to Durham, so that game may give a clearer look at their rotation.

What to Expect

Exhibitions carry no stakes, but this one pairs two top-seven teams, and it’s Duke’s second preseason test after the Belmont scrimmage. Duke then plays at Kansas on Oct. 25 before opening the regular season against Army on Nov. 2. Watch how Scheyer handles his freshmen against a veteran, physical Barnes team, and whether Boumtje Boumtje’s debut was a one-night surge.

I can update this once the broadcast crew and Tennessee’s roster are announced.