The Duke basketball team will play Tennessee in its first exhibition game of the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 PM ET. The game will take place at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Duke recently showcased its talent during a scrimmage against Belmont, winning 102-62, which helped solidify the team's status as a contender in college basketball.
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Duke's strong defense was evident against Belmont, holding the Bruins to 34.5% shooting and 23.3% from beyond the arc. The Blue Devils recorded 12 steals and seven blocks while dominating the rebounding battle 46-28.
This is the second consecutive year Duke has met Tennessee in an exhibition, having defeated them 83-76 last year in Knoxville. Tennessee, under coach Rick Barnes, has made significant improvements, bolstered by a top-rated transfer portal class that includes standout players like Juke Harris and Jalen Haralson.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer’s roster features versatile players capable of adaptive defensive strategies. The game against Tennessee will serve as an early test for the Blue Devils’ defense against a team known for its offensive firepower. Tennessee lost to Xavier 86-70 in its previous exhibition on October 15.