If you’re scrambling to find the remote because you need to know what channel is tennessee vols playing on today, I’ve got the quick answer for you right at the top. Today is Friday, January 16, 2026, and if you’re looking for the Men's or Women's basketball teams, you actually have a tiny bit of breathing room—but only a little.
The Tennessee Volunteers Men’s Basketball team does not have a game today, January 16. They just coming off a wild, double-overtime win against Texas A&M. However, they play a massive rivalry game tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, against Kentucky. That game will air on ESPN at 12:00 PM ET.
The Lady Vols are also off today. They hit the hardwood again this Sunday, January 18, taking on Alabama. You can catch that one on the SEC Network at 2:00 PM ET.
But wait! If you are a die-hard who needs their Big Orange fix literally today, there is action. The Tennessee Track & Field teams are competing today at both the Arkansas Invitational and the Vanderbilt Invitational. These are typically streamed on SEC Network+ via the ESPN app.
Where to Watch Tennessee Vols Basketball This Weekend
It’s been a crazy week for Rick Barnes and the boys. That 87-82 win over the Aggies on Tuesday was stressful, to say the least. Nate Ament is looking like a superstar, putting up 23 points in that thriller. Honestly, if you missed it, you missed the freshman forward essentially taking over the extra periods.
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Tomorrow’s matchup against Kentucky is the one everyone has circled. It’s at the Food City Center (good old Thompson-Boling for the traditionalists), and it’s going to be loud.
Here is the breakdown for the next 48 hours:
- Friday, Jan 16: Track & Field at Arkansas/Vanderbilt (SEC Network+)
- Saturday, Jan 17: Men’s Basketball vs. Kentucky, 12:00 PM ET (ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Women’s Basketball at Alabama, 2:00 PM ET (SEC Network)
The Lady Vols have been on a tear lately. They absolutely dismantled Arkansas 85-50 last Sunday. Kim Caldwell has this team playing with a pace that is frankly exhausting to watch, but it’s working. They’re sitting high in the SEC standings and looking like a lock for a deep March run.
Why the Channel Search Is So Complicated
I get it. Trying to find the right channel in 2026 feels like a part-time job. Between the SEC’s exclusive deal with Disney (ESPN/ABC) and the various streaming-only games on SEC Network+, it’s easy to get lost.
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Basically, if the game is on "SEC Network+," it isn't a TV channel you can just flip to. You have to use the ESPN app on your Roku, Fire Stick, or smart TV and log in with your cable or streaming provider (like YouTube TV or Fubo).
Most of the big Saturday SEC games are going to land on the "mothership" (ESPN) or ESPN2. The night games or midweek games often slide over to the SEC Network.
Watching Without Cable
If you've cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. You’ve basically got four main options to ensure you never miss a "what channel is tennessee vols playing on today" moment:
- YouTube TV: Currently carries ESPN, ESPN2, and SEC Network. It’s probably the most stable experience for sports fans right now.
- Hulu + Live TV: Very similar to YouTube TV and includes Disney+ and ESPN+ bundled in, which is a nice perk.
- Fubo: Great for sports, though sometimes their interface feels a bit cluttered compared to the others.
- Sling TV: You’ll need the "Orange" package plus the "Sports Extra" add-on to get the SEC Network. It's usually the cheapest, but you lose some local channels depending on where you live.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
The Vols have a brutal stretch coming up. After Kentucky tomorrow, the men travel to Alabama on January 24 and then Georgia on January 27. Those are "swing games" that will determine where they land in the SEC Tournament seeding.
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On the women's side, mark your calendars for January 22. Kentucky comes to Knoxville. That game is always a dogfight and will be on the SEC Network.
If you’re already thinking about football—hey, we're in Tennessee, of course you are—the 2026 dates are already out. The Vols will host Texas, Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, and LSU at Neyland. That is a gauntlet. The season kicks off September 5 against Furman.
Actionable Steps for Vols Fans
To make sure you never miss a tip-off, do these three things right now:
- Download the Tennessee Athletics App: It’s the most reliable way to check live scoring and find the exact broadcast info 15 minutes before the game.
- Set an ESPN App Alert: Favorite "Tennessee Volunteers" in the app. It will push a notification to your phone the second a game starts, usually with a direct link to the stream.
- Sync the Calendar: Most team websites (UTSports.com) have an "Add to Calendar" feature. Use it. It updates automatically if a game time gets moved for TV.
The Kentucky game tomorrow is a "Check Your Blood Pressure" kind of game. Make sure you've got the ESPN app updated and your login credentials ready today so you aren't fighting with a "Forgot Password" screen two minutes before tip-off.