John Fulkerson
FILE — Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes watches his team in an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan on March 19, 2022, in Indianapolis. Barnes has a more experienced squad this season with two of the three Volunteers who tested their NBA draft stock among nine players back this season. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Barnes, Tennessee shooting for more than SEC tourney title

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 20, 2022 01:41 PM EDT

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes talks with guard Zakai Zeigler, right, during the first half of a college basketball game against Longwood in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee uses balanced offense to beat Longwood 88-56

By Michael Marot Mar. 17, 2022 05:26 PM EDT

Tennessee's Jonas Aidoo (0) shoots against Georgia's Braelen Bridges (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
James has career-high 23 points, No. 13 Vols beat Georgia

By Charles Odum Mar. 01, 2022 08:34 PM EST

Auburn forward Jabari Smith (10) works for a shot as he is defended by Auburn guard K.D. Johnson (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vescovi, Zeigler lead No. 17 Tennessee over No. 3 Auburn

By Al Lesar Feb. 26, 2022 06:35 PM EST

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) goes for a dunk during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vescovi, Chandler lead No. 16 Vols over No. 4 Kentucky 76-63

By Al Lesar Feb. 15, 2022 11:31 PM EST

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) drives against Vanderbilt forward Myles Stute (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Zeigler leads No. 19 Tennessee over Vanderbilt 73-64

By Al Lesar Feb. 12, 2022 08:25 PM EST

Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler (1) dribbles the ball against South Carolina guard Devin Carter (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina Gamecocks 2/5/2022

Feb. 05, 2022 02:06 PM EST

Texas A&M guard Quenton Jackson (3) spins while passing the ball off as he's defended by Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Chandler, Nkamhoua lead No. 22 Tennessee past Texas A&M

By Al Lesar Feb. 01, 2022 09:22 PM EST

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) shoots over LSU center Efton Reid (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vescovi leads No. 24 Tennessee over No. 13 LSU 64-50

By Al Lesar Jan. 22, 2022 08:37 PM EST

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi, rear, and Vanderbilt guard Tyrin Lawrence dive for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 24 Tennessee scores final 8, beating Vanderbilt 68-60

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 18, 2022 11:29 PM EST

Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler (1) steals the ball from South Carolina guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Knoxville, TN. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vescovi leads No. 22 Tennessee over South Carolina 66-46

By Al Lesar Jan. 11, 2022 08:50 PM EST

Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler (1) shoots as he's fouled by South Carolina forward Keyshawn Bryant (24) during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
South Carolina Gamecocks at Tennessee Volunteers 1/11/2022

Jan. 11, 2022 07:20 PM EST

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) and the bench react to his game-tying shot during an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 66-60 in overtime. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 18 Tennessee tops Ole Miss 66-60 in overtime

By Al Lesar Jan. 05, 2022 09:44 PM EST

Alabama's bench cheers during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 19 Alabama tops depleted No. 14 Vols 73-68 with late run

Dec. 29, 2021 11:45 PM EST

Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) dribbles as he's defended by Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler (1) during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 19 Tennessee hands No. 6 Arizona first loss 77-73

By Al Lesar Dec. 22, 2021 09:30 PM EST

Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) shoots past USC Upstate guard Josh Aldrich (34) during an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 18 Tennessee runs past USC Upstate 96-52

By Al Lesar Dec. 14, 2021 09:05 PM EST

UNC-Greensboro head coach Mike Jones reacts to a play during an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 13 Tennessee beats UNC Greensboro 76-36

By Al Lesar Dec. 11, 2021 06:38 PM EST

Texas Tech coach Mark Adams gestures during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee in the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Texas Tech, Shannon topples No. 13 Tennessee in OT

By Dan Gelston Dec. 07, 2021 09:43 PM EST

Tennessee Tech guard Dane Quest (11) falls to the floor as he collides with Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 15 Tennessee avoids upset against Tennessee Tech

By Al Lesar Nov. 26, 2021 05:09 PM EST

Villanova head coach Jay Wright claps from the bench during overtime of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Hall of Fame Tip-Off tourney to feature 4 ranked teams

By John Marshall Nov. 16, 2021 07:45 PM EST