The Tennessee men’s basketball team will open the preseason NIT at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville against Fordham on Nov. 13 as part of a doubleheader.

The other game that night will have Belmont facing North Carolina-Wilmington.

The winner of those games meet Nov. 14 in Nashville with a trip to Madison Square Garden on the line. The NIT finals are Nov. 22 and 24.

"It will be interesting for our fans, especially those in Middle Tennessee,’’ UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "Hopefully, we can win those games and travel to New York City.’’

Fordham, which is located in New York City, was 16-16 last season with wins at Virginia and Temple.

The 16-team preseason NIT switched to a pod system this year with four teams at four sites. The other sites are Charlotte, N.C., Indianapolis and Spokane, Wash.

Vols coach Bruce Pearl said he likes the new system, but the timing could have been better.

"It’s a really fair tournament with the neutral sites as opposed to the high majors always hosting,’’ Pearl said. "The timing for me isn’t the best, because I’ve been the mid-major traveling. Now I’m finally at a place that could host.

"But I’m excited about this and pleased we were chosen as one of the top four seeds along with North Carolina, Gonzaga and Indiana.’’

Hamilton said a positive to playing in the tournament is the exposure UT figures to receive.

"All the games in the NIT are guaranteed to be on one of the ESPN stations,’’ Hamilton said. "We’ve gone from not being talked about at all to being on the radar screen in 12 short months.

"I credit Bruce with what he’s done and how he interacts with media, I credit the players with what they’ve done on the floor, the marketing department deserves praise and of course the fans, who bought into the program.’’

Hamilton said the Vols are expected to play two preseason games and will schedule a home game for Nov. 10 to open the regular season.

Hamilton hasn’t made plans with Pearl for a "Midnight Madness’’ ceremony to open the start of men’s basketball practice.

"If Bruce wants to have a _midnight madness, we’ll have it,’’ Hamilton said. "I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I know there will be something for fans to come out and see the team before the season.’’

Hamilton said he was hoping for NIT home games, but playing in Nashville is the next best thing.

"What we’re losing by playing in Nashville is concession dollars, but the NCAA will give us some travel dollars to go there,’’ Hamilton said. "At least we’re not at a neutral site outside of our state.’’

The two NIT games (all teams are guaranteed two games) give the Vols three games in Nashville this season. In December, Tennessee plays Oklahoma State.

The other NIT matchups, at their respective sites are:

Charlotte: North Carolina vs. Sacred Heart and Winthrop vs. Iona; Spokane: Gonzaga vs. Rice and Baylor vs. Colorado State; Indianapolis: Indiana vs. Lafayette and Notre Dame vs. Butler.

Coach Update: Pearl said he’ll continue to interview candidates next week to replace departed assistant coach Scott Edgar, who took the head coaching job at Southeast Missouri State.

"We’re not in a rush,’’ Pearl said. "This is my second week focusing on it. We’re trying to bring in somebody outside the family that can challenge me and bring us some basketball savvy.

"There are a lot of good guys out there. This hire is very important, and the more information I have, the better.’’