Tennessee basketball vs. Colorado: Live stream, game time, TV and radio

Here is our preview for the Tennessee basketball Volunteers and the Buffaloes.

After the cancelation of their first five games, Tennessee basketball finally takes the court for the first time of the 2020-2021 season Tuesday night. The Colorado Buffaloes head to Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. to take on the Vols.

This game comes 13 days after UT’s original opener was scheduled, against the Charlotte 49ers in the Volunteer Classic. They were set to face the VCU Rams two days later, the Gonzaga Bulldogs the next week in the Jimmy V Classic and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the road. All four of those games were canceled.

Then, Tennessee basketball added the UT Martin Skyhawks to the slate for Wednesday, Dec. 9. That game was canceled last Friday. Colorado was added to the schedule last Saturday. Here is all the information you need for the matchup.

Live stream: WatchESPN

Radio: Vol Network; Colorado Radio Network

Listen online: UTSports; KOA News Radio

Led by head coach Tad Boyle in his 11th year, the Buffaloes head into this game with a 2-0 record, having beaten the South Dakota Coyotes and their former Big 12 Rival, the Kansas State Wildcats. They returned their leading scorer in senior guard McKinley Wright IV from last year’s team that went 21-11, and he’s averaging 22 points a game through two games so far.

Meanwhile, the Vols return all but one player from last year, including leading scorer John Fulkerson and reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Yves Pons. That combined with a top five recruiting class that includes five-star guards Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer has led to lots of hype surrounding Rick Barnes team, who is No. 12 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll.

They also added graduate transfer E.J. Anosike, a power forward who averaged a double-double last year with the Sacred Heart Pioneers, and Oregon Ducks transfer guard Victor Bailey Jr. who sat out last year, is now eligible. Simply put, there are lots of expectations for this Tennessee basketball team, and tonight will be the first time the talent and experience is on display.

Tuesday marks only the third time the Vols and Buffaloes have ever met. They faced off in the 1980-1981 and 1981-1982 season. UT, who was led by Don DeVoe at the time, won both of those matchups.

Since Colorado used to be in the Big 12 before joining the Pac-12 in 2011-2012, Barnes has plenty of experience coaching against the program dating back to his days with the Texas Longhorns. He is 13-4 against them.

The last time Tennessee basketball hosted a Pac-12 school was in the 2010-2011 season. Rocky Top received a visit from the USC Trojans, and the Vols lost 65-64. It was their third straight loss after a 7-0 start and was the beginning of a downward slide in Bruce Pearl’s final year.