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Tennessee basketball: Ranking 10 most important games in 2018-19

By Billy Williford

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – DECEMBER 20: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after making a three-point shot late in the game against the Albany Great Danes at KFC YUM! Center on December 20, 2017, in Louisville, Kentucky.Louisville won 70-68. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No.9 – Louisville Cardinals

November 21, 2018, NIT Season Tip-Off (ESPN 2)

Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY

As we mentioned, Tennessee has a tough nonconference schedule, and that begins with the NIT Season Tip-Off in Madison Square Garden. This will be great exposure for the Vols, but it is important for them to get the win.

This will be the second big test of the season with the Vols taking on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets the week before. However, the Vols should have two wins in those games.

Louisville will be under the leadership of head coach Chris Mack. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, Mack was the head coach at Xavier University from 2009-18 where he made the NCAA Tournament eight times with one Elite Eight appearance.

The Cardinals shouldn’t contend for an ACC Title with teams like Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia leading the pack. However, Mack will have a fast-paced offense and an in your face style of defense. That was the attitude of his teams at Xavier, and it will be at Lousiville soon enough.

If for some reason the Vols lose this game the season wouldn’t be over. However, I don’t think Tennessee loses this game, and they move on to play the winner of Kansas and Marquette.

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