Santiago Vescovi

Boise State guard Derrick Alston Jr. shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU in the first round of the NIT, Thursday, March 18, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Charlotte Regional - First Round - Game 1 (win) at Charlotte Regional - First Round - Game 2 (win) 3/20/2021

Mar. 18, 2021 09:16 PM EDT

Baylor's Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) and Mark Vital (11), along with Kansas State's DaJuan Gordon (3), battle for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big 12 Conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

NBA Academy alums lining up for NCAA Tournament

By Ken Maguire Mar. 18, 2021 12:04 PM EDT

Tennessee's John Fulkerson lies on the court after being fouled by Florida's Omar Payne in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Friday, March 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Payne was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee routs Gators 78-66 in SEC quarterfinals

By Teresa M. Walker Mar. 12, 2021 06:15 PM EST

Auburn guard Allen Flanigan (22) brings the ball in as Tennessee guard Keon Johnson (45) defends during the first half of an NCAA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Tennessee Volunteers at Auburn Tigers 2/27/2021

Feb. 27, 2021 01:16 PM EST

LSU head coach Will Wade congratulates guard Ja'Vonte Smart (1) during a substitution in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU pulls away late, wins easy over No. 16 Tennessee 78-65

By Bryan Lazare Feb. 13, 2021 04:39 PM EST

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes points to the bench during the team's NCAA college basketball game against Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Randy Sartin/Pool Photo via AP)

No. 16 Tennessee holds on to beat Georgia

Al Lesar Feb. 10, 2021 10:26 PM EST

Tennessee guard/forward Yves Pons (35) blocks a shot attempt by Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) during an NCAA college basketball game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Pons scores 17 as No. 18 Tennessee beats No. 15 Kansas 80-61

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 30, 2021 08:21 PM EST

Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua dunks during the team's NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Pons leads No. 18 Tennessee past Mississippi State

By Al Lesar Jan. 26, 2021 10:33 PM EST

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) makes a 3-point basket over Texas A&M forward Jonathan Aku (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

Tennessee Volunteers at Texas A&M Aggies 1/9/2021

Jan. 09, 2021 03:04 PM EST

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) moves the ball against Alabama's Jaden Shackelford (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Randy Sartin, Pool)

Alabama stuns No. 7 Tennessee 71-63 in physical battle

By Al Lesar Jan. 02, 2021 08:28 PM EST

Tennessee's Victor Bailey Jr., center, drives past teammate Olivier Nkamhoua, left, and Missouri's Dru Smith, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

No. 7 Tennessee routs No. 12 Missouri 73-53 in SEC opener

By Joe Walljasper Dec. 30, 2020 11:29 PM EST

Bailey leads No. 8 Tennessee over winless Saint Joseph's

By Al Lesar Dec. 21, 2020 08:53 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Five games into his Tennessee career, Victor Bailey is settling into his role as an offensive threat. The transfer...

FILE — In this Jan. 18, 2020, file photo, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes directs players during an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. The combination of experience and talent has raised expectations that Tennessee can win the SEC regular season title for the second time in four seasons and maybe even think of the program's first Final Four. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Barnes restocks Tennessee roster, ready to contend again

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 11, 2020 01:16 PM EST

Kentucky's EJ Montgomery, left, passes the ball away from Tennessee's Yves Pons (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Fulkerson scores 27, Tennessee stuns No. 6 Kentucky 81-73

By Gary B. Graves Mar. 03, 2020 11:22 PM EST

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl smiles at an official during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

Auburn rallies past Vols; fan tossed for derogatory comment

By John Zenor Feb. 22, 2020 03:38 PM EST

Kentucky forward Nate Sestina (1) shoots over LSU forward Emmitt Williams (5) as LSU forward Darius Days (0) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

No. 10 Kentucky looks to extend SEC lead against Florida

By Gary B. Graves Feb. 21, 2020 03:18 AM EST

Bowden's late free throws clinch Vols' 65-61 win over Vandy

By Steve Megargee Feb. 18, 2020 08:41 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jordan Bowden’s steadiness at the foul line made sure Tennessee avoided a stunning collapse. Bowden calmly sank two...

Kotsar, South Carolina rally to beat Tennessee 63-61

By David Cloninger Feb. 15, 2020 08:55 PM EST
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s Maik Kotsar swished four free throws in the final 21 seconds to deliver an improbable 63-61 win over Tennessee on...