Amanda Knapp
The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team, also known as the Vols, is the collegiate men's basketball programme for the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. The Vols compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In 2000, the Vols finished 26–7, repeating as SEC East champions and winning their first SEC championship since 1982. In 2019, they won 30 games for the first time since 2007-08, earning a record of 31–6 and a No.1 ranking in the polls for the first time since the 2007–08 season.
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What You'll Learn
Tennessee Volunteers basketball history
The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team represents the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The team, commonly referred to as the "Vols", competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The Volunteers play their home games in the Thompson–Boling Arena, which was built in 1988 and seated over 24,500 people—then the largest facility built specifically for basketball in the US. The court is nicknamed "the Summitt", after former Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt. The Volunteers have consistently ranked in the top 15 in the nation in terms of attendance, averaging 17,194 (79.34% capacity) from 2007 through 2018.
The hiring of Ray Mears as head coach in 1963 ushered in the most sustained period of success in Tennessee men's basketball history. In 1967, the Volunteers won their first SEC championship in 24 years and made their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Mears kept Tennessee among the top teams of the SEC from 1968 to 1973, winning a second SEC championship in 1972. In 1976, two of Mears' players, Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld, were featured in the February edition of Sports Illustrated as "Double Trouble from Tennessee". Both players went on to have illustrious NBA careers. Mears is remembered as the greatest coach in Tennessee men's basketball history, as well as a great entertainer and marketer.
In 2000, the Volunteers finished 26–7, repeating as SEC East champions and winning their first SEC championship since 1982. In the NCAA tournament, they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history, where they lost to North Carolina. In 2019, the Volunteers earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they defeated Colgate 77–70 in the first round. They finished the regular season with a record of 31–6 (15–3), capturing a share of the SEC regular-season title for the first time since 2008.
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Tennessee's coach Barnes' turnaround
The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team, based at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville, has seen success under the leadership of head coach Rick Barnes. In his third year as Tennessee's coach, Barnes led the team to a significant turnaround, improving their record from 16-16 (8-10) the previous year to 26-9 (13-5) and capturing a share of the SEC regular-season title. This was Tennessee's first regular-season title since 2008 and their tenth overall.
Barnes, a North Carolina native, brought a wealth of experience to the role, having previously coached at George Mason University, Providence College, and Clemson University, and the University of Texas. During his time at Texas, he established himself as a nationally regarded coach, winning four Big 12 Coach of the Year awards.
Under Barnes' guidance, Tennessee has consistently performed well, making five straight NCAA Tournaments and earning a top-four seed in the tournament on four occasions. In the 2019-20 season, Barnes achieved his 700th win as a head coach, and in the 2021-22 season, he led Tennessee to their first SEC Tournament title since the 1978-79 season. The 2023-24 season marked another milestone for Barnes, as he earned his 800th career win as a head coach.
Recognising his impact on the team, the University of Tennessee extended Barnes' contract through the 2027-28 season, ensuring that he will likely finish his impressive coaching career with the Volunteers.
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Tennessee's ranking and tournament results
The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team, also known as the "Vols", represents the University of Tennessee–Knoxville in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Historically, Tennessee ranks third in the SEC in all-time wins. In 2000, the Vols finished 26–7, repeating as SEC East champions and winning their first SEC championship since 1982. They also set a program record for most wins in a single season and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
In 2001, the Vols rose to No. 4 in the AP Poll after starting the season with a 16–1 record. However, they struggled in the second half of the season and finished 22–11, losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
In Barnes' third year as Tennessee's coach, the Vols finished the regular season with a 26–9 (13–5) record and captured a share of the SEC regular-season title. This was Tennessee's first regular-season title since 2008 and their tenth overall. They also reached the SEC men's basketball championship final, where they were defeated by Kentucky.
In 2019, Tennessee won 30 games for the first time since 2007–08 and earned a record of 31–6 (15–3), including an 18-game win streak. They were ranked No.1 in the polls for the first time since the 2007–08 season and again reached the SEC men's basketball championship final, where they were defeated by Auburn. The Vols earned a No. 2 seed in the 2019 NCAA tournament and defeated Colgate 77–70 in the first round.
As of 2025, Tennessee has a 12-7 Quad I record, a 5-0 Quad II record, a 6-0 Quad III record, and a 6-0 Quad IV record in the quadrant system used to identify which teams have more quality wins when it comes to Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament.
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Tennessee Volunteers players in the NBA
The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team has produced several notable players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA. The team, based at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, has consistently ranked highly in terms of attendance and has a rich history in the sport.
Some of the most well-known Tennessee Volunteers players in the NBA include the legendary duo of Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld, who were drafted 7th and 11th overall in 1977, respectively. King played for the New Jersey Nets, while Grunfeld went on to have a successful career with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both players are considered all-time greats, with their impact being featured in Sports Illustrated and an ESPN documentary titled "Bernie and Ernie".
In more recent years, the Volunteers have continued to produce NBA talents. Tobias Harris, a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, was the first player from the Volunteers to represent the Sixers in 2011. Yves Pons, a Frenchman, signed with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2021 NBA Summer League, staying true to his newfound Tennessee heritage. Keon Johnson, a freshman guard, was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2021 and later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played 15 games. Jaden Springer, another rookie from the Volunteers, was selected as the 28th overall pick in the 2021 draft and has played two NBA games so far, alongside appearances in the G League. Grant Williams, a forward for the Boston Celtics, is also a rising star, drafted in 2019 after three seasons with the Vols.
The Tennessee Volunteers have a proud basketball history, and their players have gone on to make significant contributions in the NBA, both past and present.
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Tennessee Volunteers basketball coaches
The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team is the collegiate men's basketball programme for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The team has had several notable coaches over the years, including Rick Barnes, who is the current head coach.
Barnes was born on July 17, 1954, in Hickory, North Carolina, and grew up to become an American college basketball coach. Before joining the University of Tennessee in 2015, Barnes coached at George Mason University, Providence College, Clemson University, and the University of Texas. At Texas, Barnes won a school-record 402 games and established the university as one of the top college basketball programs in the nation. He guided the Longhorns to 16 NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four in 2003 and Elite Eight appearances in 2006 and 2008.
At Tennessee, Barnes has continued his successful coaching career. In his third year as head coach, Barnes led the Volunteers to a share of their first regular-season SEC title in a decade and a spot in the conference championship game. In the 2018-19 season, the Vols finished with a school-record 31-6, reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earning a No. 1 ranking for several weeks. Barnes was named the Naismith College Coach of the Year that season. He has since led the Volunteers to their first SEC Tournament title since the 1978-79 season and earned his 800th career win as a head coach in 2023-24.
Prior to Barnes' tenure, other notable Tennessee Volunteers basketball coaches include Buzz Peterson, who replaced the previous coach, Green, in 2001. Green had led the team to the NCAA tournament, but a disappointing finish, coupled with incidents with the local media and fans, led to his resignation. Interim coach Cliff Wettig also took charge of the team in 1978 after Mears, considered the greatest coach in Tennessee men's basketball history, retired due to health reasons.
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Frequently asked questions
The Tennessee Volunteers, commonly referred to as the "Vols".
Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Thompson–Boling Arena, on a court nicknamed "the Summitt".
In 2000, they finished 26-7 and repeated as SEC East champions.
Ernie and Bernie, also known as "Double Trouble from Tennessee", who were featured in the February 1976 edition of Sports Illustrated.
