Men’s Basketball Set To Face Tennessee In Players Era Tournament Opener
5/21/2026 2:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Maryland men's basketball team will take on Tennessee on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in the opening round of the Players Era 16 Championship in Las Vegas as announced on Thursday.
The tournament field features Maryland, Tennessee, Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, San Diego State, St. John's, TCU, and Texas Tech.
The winner of the Maryland/Tennessee game will play the winner of San Diego State and Iowa State on Thursday, Nov. 26. That day will feature four semifinal games and four consolation games. On Friday, Nov. 27, two bracket championship games will be played with the winners of the four semifinal games as well as five other games. The Players Era 16 Championship Game will be Saturday, November 28 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Additional information about ticket on-sale dates and broadcast networks will be announced soon. All 37 games across the two tournaments will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as part of a new multi-year broadcast agreement between Players Era and ESPN.
Maryland and Tennessee last met on Dec. 11, 2022 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational at the Barclays Center. The Terps used a huge second half rally, but the Volunteers held on for a 56-53 win. Tennessee leads the all-time series 3-2 overall.
Players Era 16 | Tuesday-Saturday, November 24-28 at T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Opening Round Games (All times TBD)
Tennessee vs. Maryland
San Diego State vs. Iowa State
St. John's vs. Oregon
Louisville vs. Texas Tech
Gonzaga vs. Kansas State
Baylor vs. Alabama
Michigan vs. Creighton
TCU vs. Miami (FL)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
No games scheduled
Thursday, Nov. 26 (All times TBD)
Semifinal #1 - WINNER (Tennessee/Maryland) vs. WINNER (San Diego State/Iowa State)
Semifinal #2 - WINNER (St. John's/Oregon) vs. WINNER (Louisville/Texas Tech)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Semifinal #3- WINNER (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs. WINNER (Baylor/Alabama)
Semifinal #4 - WINNER (Michigan/Creighton) vs. WINNER (TCU/Miami)
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Friday, Nov. 27 (All times TBD)
Bracket #1 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #1 vs. WINNER Semifinal #2
Bracket #2 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #3 vs. WINNER Semifinal #4
Bracket #1 Third Place
Bracket #1 Fifth Place
Bracket #1 Seventh Place
Bracket #2 Third Place
Bracket #2 Fifth Place
Bracket #2 Seventh Place
Saturday, Nov. 28 (Time TBD)
Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena)
