Josiah-Jordan James
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

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

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes directs his team during an NCAA college basketball game against Florida Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Randy Sartin/Pool Photo via AP)
Vols beat Florida 65-54, earn No. 4 seed in SEC tourney

Mar. 07, 2021 02:28 PM EST

Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) and Auburn guard Jamal Johnson (1) collide while rebounding the ball during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Auburn won 77-72. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Tennessee Vols looking for answers at end of regular season

By Teresa M. Walker Mar. 02, 2021 04:55 PM EST

Tennessee guard Victor Bailey Jr. (12) looks to pass the ball against Kentucky's Devin Askew (2) during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Randy Sartin/Pool Photo via AP)
Jackson, Kentucky win 3rd in row, top No. 19 Tennessee 70-55

By Al Lesar Feb. 20, 2021 04:17 PM EST

South Carolina's Keyshawn Bryant (24) defends against Tennessee's Victor Bailey Jr. (12) during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
Bailey leads No. 19 Tennessee over South Carolina, 93-73

By Al Lesar Feb. 18, 2021 12:16 AM 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's Jaden Springer, left, passes the ball away from Kentucky's Jacob Toppin (0) and Dontaie Allen during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Johnson, Springer rally No. 11 Tennessee past Kentucky 82-71

By Gary B. Graves Feb. 06, 2021 10:34 PM EST

Mississippi guard Jarkel Joiner (24) attempts a layup while being defended by a Tennessee player during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Oxford, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Shuler leads Mississippi rally in 52-50 win over No. 11 Vols

Feb. 02, 2021 09:43 PM EST

Virginia Tech's Keve Aluma (22) celebrates a score against Virginia during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
SEC eager to change perception league is down in stretch run

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 31, 2021 01:09 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)
Kansas Jayhawks at Tennessee Volunteers 1/30/2021

Jan. 30, 2021 08:22 PM EST

Missouri players react after defeating Tennessee in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville New-Sentinel via AP, Pool)
Pinson leads No. 19 Missouri to 73-64 win at No. 6 Tennessee

By Al Lesar Jan. 23, 2021 10:55 PM EST

Tennessee's Josiah-Jordan James (5) and John Fulkerson (10) double team Vanderbilt guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) during an NCAA college basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
No. 10 Tennessee rides balanced scoring, beats Vanderbilt

By Al Lesar Jan. 16, 2021 08:18 PM EST

Tennessee's Josiah-Jordan James (5) attempts to score against Arkansas during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Saul Young/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
No. 9 Tennessee pulls out 79-74 thriller over Arkansas

By Al Lesar Jan. 06, 2021 09:39 PM EST

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes talks to his players during an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina-Upstate on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Randy Sartin/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 8 Tennessee tops USC Upstate 80-60

Al Lesar Dec. 23, 2020 07:04 PM EST

Tennessee's Keon Johnson (45) slides on the court during an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee Tech Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
No. 10 Tennessee overwhelms Tennessee Tech 103-49

By Al Lesar Dec. 18, 2020 09:01 PM EST

Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) looks for the basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Appalachian State in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
No. 10 Tennessee clamps down on Appalachian State, 79-38

By Al Lesar Dec. 15, 2020 09:19 PM EST

Fulkerson 15 points, 12 boards as No. 12 Vols top Cincinnati

By Al Lesar Dec. 12, 2020 03:07 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — When the offense struggled, No. 12 Tennessee turned to its defense and found success. The Vols, who shot just 32...

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

This image taken from video shows Tennessee sophomore basketball player Josiah-Jordan James, Friday, July 10, 2020. The Big Ten decision to wipe more than three dozen nonconference football games off the schedule this year has sent a ripple of fear through athletic departments across much of the country. (AP Photo/Teresa Walker via Zoom)
The Latest: Vols report multiple positive tests after July 4

By The Associated Press Jul. 15, 2020 10:34 AM EDT