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Tennessee basketball: Vols 5 best seasons without hanging any banners

By Caleb Calhoun

PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 18: The bench of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts in the closing minutes in a 62-59 win over the San Diego State Aztecs during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 18, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 18: The bench of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts in the closing minutes in a 62-59 win over the San Diego State Aztecs during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 18, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

1. 2018-2019

Record: 31-6 (15-3)

NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16 (Lost to Purdue Boilermakers 99-94 OT)

Yes, this most recent team is the greatest Tennessee basketball team to not win any championships. They may not have gone as far as the 2009-2010 Vols did under Bruce Pearl, but they accomplished more overall.

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Entering the season after a close second-round loss to eventual Cinderella Loyola-Chicago, this veteran Vols squad under Rick Barnes accomplished a ton but came just short of every chance at a banner. And that started early on.

The Vols lost the NIT Season-Tip-Off to the Kansas Jayhawks in overtime. They lost the regular season SEC Championship to the LSU Tigers in overtime. Even a chance at a share of the regular season title was lost on the final day to the Auburn Tigers by four points. Then they lost the SEC Tournament championship game to Auburn again before losing the Sweet 16 game to the Purdue Boilermakers in overtime.

However, amidst all those heartbreaking losses that were all costly, this team had some thrilling moments. They were No. 1 for four weeks, a record for the program. Also, they beat the Gonzaga Bulldogs when they were ranked No. 1.

A thrilling home and neutral site victor over the Kentucky Wildcats were worthy of celebration, along with road victories over the Ole Miss Rebels and Memphis Tigers, a sweep over the Florida Gators, a close win over the Alabama Crimson Tide and a home blowout over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Overall, this team accomplished a lot.

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They may not have hung any banners or made it past the Sweet 16. But this group, led by Admiral Schofield, Grant Williams and Jordan Bone, was truly a team. Kyle Alexander, Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden were all just as important. And they accomplished some legendary feats, so they earned their spot in Tennessee basketball lore and at the top of this list.

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