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Tennessee basketball: 10 memorable games between Vols and Memphis Tigers

By Caleb Calhoun

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: Robert Dozier #2 of the Memphis Tigers jumps against Tyler Smith #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers at FedExForum on February 23, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: Robert Dozier #2 of the Memphis Tigers jumps against Tyler Smith #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers at FedExForum on February 23, 2008 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

Honorable Mentions

1989-1990: Tennessee beats Memphis 73-71 in the NIT (Game played March 14, 1990)

It was an NIT win, so it does deserve mention as the one time the two teams met in a postseason game. Tennessee basketball won this one in another close 73-71 thriller, and they won it in the city of Memphis too.

1991-1992: Tennessee beats Memphis 65-64 (Game played Dec. 14, 1991)

This win over Penny Hardaway stood the test of time better than the Vols’ win the next year. But at the time of this game, Memphis wasn’t ranked, so it didn’t seem like a big deal. However, Allan Houston was the star and got the best of Penny in a thrilling one-point win.

1995-1996: Memphis beats Tennessee 57-55 (Game played Dec. 16, 1995)

Further showing that games in this series are close no matter where the teams stand, Kevin O’Neill was still trying to rebuild Tennessee basketball as the Memphis Tigers were rolling under Larry Finch at No. 6 and undefeated. But they still had to hold on to beat the Vols at The Pyramid.

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1997-1998: Tennessee beats Memphis 68-66 (Game played Dec. 20, 1997)

The final straw for Larry Finch was Tony Harris going to Tennessee. In their first year under Jerry Green, the Vols headed to Memphis to take on first-year Tigers coach Tic Price. Green inherited a stack of talent, but Memphis still built a huge lead. However, the Vols came back and won in Harris’s return 68-66, a crucial win as they snuck into the NCAA Tournament that year.

1998-1999: Tennessee beats Memphis 68-67 (Game played Dec. 2, 1998)

One year after Harris’s return to Knoxville, both teams entered the season with high expectations as the Tigers had a splash recruiting class. They traveled to Knoxville looking for a win, while the Vols were trying to right the ship after a rough start. Jerry Green’s team got a significant win here thanks to an Isiah Victor score with 16 seconds left.

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