The Tennessee men's basketball team will play Memphis on Feb. 23 at FedEx Forum next season.

UT coach Bruce Pearl said he isn't thrilled with playing the Tigers during the stretch run of SEC competition, but the national exposure makes it worth it.

"ESPN's Game Day will be there, and we're assured of tremendous exposure all day long because they'll be broadcasting from the early morning,'' Pearl said. "Normally, I would prefer to play the game during the traditional non-conference portion of our schedule.''

That would be November, or, as was the case this year, December.

Pearl said UT basketball fans need to get their tickets for the game right now.

"We had very little orange there two years ago, and the reason why was because people were told tickets weren't available,'' Pearl said. "I want our fans gobbling those tickets up right now. We need witnesses there.''

Pearl said a report by ESPN.com that UT will play in the Legends basketball tournament in Newark, N.J., is premature.

"We haven't signed the contract yet,'' Pearl said, "but it's something we're definitely interested in.''

Texas, West Virginia and tentatively Washington State are in the Legends field according to an ESPN.com report. The way the tourney sets up is similar to last year's preseason NIT. Four high profile teams will play two lesser teams at home with the winners advancing to Newark the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The Vols also have a road game at Xavier next season, and a neutral site game against Western Kentucky in the Gaylord Entertainment Center. UT also plays host to Ohio State.