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Live Updates: No. 20 Tennessee Basketball vs. Tennessee State

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey3 hours agoGrantRamey
Nov 17, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie (0) walks out of a huddle during the second half against the Rice Owls at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie (0) walks out of a huddle during the second half against the Rice Owls at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

For the second time this week, it’s Tennessee Basketball game day, with the Vols hosting Tennessee State Thursday night at Food City Center in a 7 Eastern Time start streaming on SEC Network+. It’s the fifth of five straight home games to start the season for the Vols.

Follow along for all the live updates before, during and after tonight’s game on The General’s Quarters

Tennessee (4-0) beat Rice 91-66 on Monday night in Knoxville, getting 20 points and eight rebound from Felix Okpara, 19 points and 11 rebounds from Nate Ament in his first career double-double and 17 points, eight assists and four rebounds from Ja’Kobi Gillespie.

Redshirt sophomore forward J.P. Estrella injured his left knee with 1:26 left in the first half against Rice and did not return. It was reported Wednesday that Estrella suffered a bone bruise and is sidelined until further notice. Estrella’s timeline for return has not been announced by the Vols.

How to Watch: Tennessee vs. Tennessee State

When: Thursday, 7 p.m. Eastern Time | Where: Food City Center

Streaming: SEC Network+ (Andy Brock, Steve Hamer)

Radio: WNML 99.1 FM in Knoxville (Mike Keith, Chris Lofton, John Wilkerson). The Vol Network radio broadcast can be heard on local affiliates across the state of Tennessee.

SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 & 190, SXM App

KenPom Prediction: Tennessee 89, Tennessee State 63

Vols are 6-0 against Tennessee State dating back to 1990

Tennessee is 6-0 all time against Tennessee State, with wins in Knoxville in 2015, 2014, 2013, 2003, 1998 and 1990.

The Vols had to rally to win the last meeting 74-69 on December 29, 2015, in the first season of the Rick Barnes era. The Tigers led 43-36 at halftime at Thompson-Boling Arena, but Kevin Punter scored 23 points and Detrick Mostella had 16 off the bench to lift Tennessee.

Tennessee State is ranked No. 238 overall in the KenPom.com Ratings. The Tigers are No. 224 in adjusted defensive efficiency (109.9) and No. 239 in adjusted offensive efficiency (103.6).

Tennessee, which is ranked No. 20 in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches Poll this week, is now No. 12 in the KenPom ratings, ranked No. 6 on defense (93.5) and No. 35 on offense (118.1).

Up Next: The Players Era Men’s Championship

The Tennessee State game wraps up the five-game homestand to start the season, which started with a 76-61 win over Mercer and continued with a 95-56 win over Northern Kentucky, a 99-66 win over North Florida and a 91-66 win over Rice on Monday.

Next the Vols will head to Las Vegas for three games in the Players Era Men’s Championship at the MGM Grand.

Tennessee will play the tournament’s opening game against Rutgers on Monday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on TNT and HBO Max. No. 2 Houston is the opponent on Tuesday, a 6 pm. ET start on TNT and HBO Max, then a third game will be played against an opponent to be determined on either Wednesday or Thursday.

The 18-team field also includes Creighton, Baylor, Kansas, Notre Dame, St. John’s, Iowa State, Syracuse, Auburn, Oregon, Gonzaga, Alabama, Michigan, UNLV, Maryland and San Diego State.