Tennessee Basketball Opens Season With Win Despite 19 Turnovers Against Mercer

The Tennessee Volunteers basketball team, coached by Rick Barnes, opened their 2025-2026 season with a 76-61 victory over Mercer at home. Despite shooting well from the field and beyond the arc, Tennessee struggled with 19 turnovers, which Barnes highlighted as missed opportunities that could have changed the game's outcome. Barnes emphasized the need for better decision-making, especially from post players who should work to draw more fouls and get to the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt men's basketball also kicked off their season with a dominant 105-61 win over Lipscomb, showcasing strong defense and efficient shooting, with coach Mark Byington praising the team's intensity and unselfishness. Both teams showed promising starts but acknowledged areas needing improvement as they prepare for the rest of the season.