Tennessee Volunteers Basketball History

Historically, the University of Tennessee men's basketball program has often taken a back seat to the University's nationally renowned and perennially dominant women's basketball team. However, UT's men's basketball program has had its own share of success over the course of its history, both in conference play, as well as nationally, since it was founded during the 1908-1909 academic year.

Overall, the University of Tennessee has quite the resume of post-season honors to its credit. In regards to appearances in the NCAA men's basketball championship tournament, the Vols have made a total of 15 appearances in the Big Dance. These appearances came in 1967, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006, and 2007).

In addition to those NCAA Tournament appearances, the University of Tennessee has made 11 appearances in the post-season National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Those appearances came in 1945, 1969, 1971, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2003, and 2004.

The Tennessee Volunteers have also been among the more successful schools in the Southeastern Conference when it comes to championships, and basketball is a prime example of this. Since the Southeastern Conference was formed, the University of Tennessee Men's basketball program has earned 8 Southeastern Conference championships in basketball. These championships came in 1936, 1941, 1943, 1967, 1972 (a shared championship), 1977 (a shared championship), 1982 (a shared championship), and 2000 (yet another shared championship).

The University of Tennessee Volunteers play their home games in the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. This nearly 25,000 capacity arena opened in 1987, and in the first game held in the new facility, the University of Tennessee defeated Marquette.

During that first season, all previous attendance records for the University of Tennessee basketball team were shattered, and their average of over 20,000 fans a game was the third most nationally. That tradition of fan attendance and passion continues even today.

The basketball team is currently coached by head coach Bruce Pearl who, since taking the helm of the University of Tennessee men's program, has returned the team to the heights of success. In 2005-2006, the Volunteers went 22-8 and won the SEC East Title, and in 2006 and 2007 the Vols made consecutive NCAA Tournaments.

The University of Tennessee has long been a stopping ground for future NBA talent. Some of the more high profile players that have spent part or all of their collegiate playing careers in Knoxville include players such as Ernie Grunfeld, Bernard King, Allan Houston, Dale Ellis, Tony White, Ron Slay, and Larry Robinson.

Click the links to get your Tennessee Volunteers Merchandise and Apparel, Tickets, and Baseball Caps.

Tennessee Volunteers Basketball History
Tennessee Volunteers Basketball History
Tennessee Volunteers Basketball History

Other Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Pages

• 2010-2011 Tennessee Volunteers Basketball
• 2009-2010 Tennessee Volunteers Basketball
• 2008-2009 Tennessee Volunteers Basketball
• 2007-2008 Tennessee Vols Basketball
• Cuonzo Martin Biography -- Tennessee Cocah
• Bruce Pearl Biography -- Former Tennessee Cocah
• University of Tennessee -- Knoxville -- Trip
• Southeastern Conference Basketball History
• SEC School Mascots
• Origins of SEC School Colors

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