The 30 Lowest Moments for Tennessee Vols Athletics in the Adidas Era

Jan 13, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers cheerleaders during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

28. Tennessee Men’s Basketball Team is Left Out of the 2003 NCAA Tournament

This is another one you have to judge in hindsight. Looking back, the Tennessee Volunteers Men’s Basketball Team under Head Coach Buzz Peterson had no business being in the NCAA Tournament.

But you don’t think about that when your team is on the bubble. Remember, as crazy as it sounds, the SEC was considered by far the toughest conference in 2002-2003 by media analysts and RPI rankings, and Tennessee went 9-7 in that conference with the player of the year in Ron Slay.

At one point they went on a six-game winning streak that included a road win against Auburn and home wins against Georgia and Florida, all of whom were ranked teams at the time. Unfortunately, the Vols stumbled down the stretch, losing five of seven after that winning streak.

Couple that with the fact that they had played a relatively weak out of conference schedule highlighted by a halfcourt prayer to beat Georgia Tech, and what looked like a sure NCAA Tournament team in mid-April became a bubble team in March.

And when Selection Sunday arrived, Alabama’s and Auburn’s names both popped up on the screen. It was clear then, as both teams were also on the bubble, and they had both recently beaten Tennessee.

The Vols were nowhere to be found. With three seniors and a squad with high expectations, they were relegated to the NIT, where the disappointment of missing the tournament caused them to lose the first game.

Yes, they did not belong. But man, it hurt like heck at the time.

Next: #27: The Emergence of UConn Women's Basketball