Losing games in the preseason isn’t a big deal, since the results ultimately don’t matter. That being said, it's better to look good than bad in October. For Tennessee Basketball, their play has been more on the negative side. After losing to Xavier, the Vols took on Duke on the road in an exhibition tuneup.
It was a disaster from the beginning, with the Vols down by 20+ before the midway point of the first half. They never managed to get closer, ultimately falling 101-64 at Duke. Losing at Cameron Indoor Stadium to a preseason top-3 team isn’t shameful but the way Tennessee fell should be a cause for alarm.
Here’s a look at some key takeaways from the game.
1. Terrence Hill Jr.’s health
Terrence Hill Jr. got banged up on the play and is now being helped off the court. pic.twitter.com/TKhQtWhLzf
— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerFDP) October 20, 2026
The former VCU leading scorer had 22 points to lead Tennessee in its first preseason game against Xavier. Unfortunately, Hill played just five minutes for the team before suffering a lower-leg injury, being shown on crutches on the bench. The severity of the injury is unknown but as the likely lead guard, Hill’s potential absence for the regular season would be a big blow for a team that’s clearly looking to find itself.
2. Poor defensive effort
In the first game against Xavier, the Vols gave up 59 points in the second half in a concerning display. It was even worse against Duke, allowing 54 first half points and 53% FG shooting overall. Defense has been a calling card for Coach Rick Barnes team so this has been a complete surprise in the preseason. Especially in the frontcourt, where their bigs have been struggling all over. There’s still time to find things on this end but for a team that didn’t have many individual quality defenders to begin with, it’s a big issue.
3. Jalen Haralson’s lack of an impact
Haralson is a former five-star prospect who put up over 15 ppg as a freshman. He was a prized transfer pickup for the Vols but his role remains unknown. In two games, he’s produced 16 points in 35 total minutes. The most concerning part is that Haralson only has one assist in two games. For a team that doesn’t have clear ball-handlers, the skilled Haralson could fill that role. But could he be destined for more of a complementary role than one that’s in the lead?
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