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Tennessee basketball: Ranking all nine Vols NCAA Tournament wins in 2010s

By Caleb Calhoun

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts with teammates during the second half against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts with teammates during the second half against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

3. Mercer Bears (14-seed)

2014 – Third Round

Final score: Tennessee wins 83-63

Beating 14-seeds to reach the Sweet Sixteen has been a mark for Tennessee basketball this season. But this one was a lot more exciting for the Vols than previous ones because of everything they overcame under Cuonzo Martin to reach it. That’s why we have it ranked higher on the list than their win over the Ohio Bobcats.

Earlier in this list, UT’s win over the UMASS Minutemen was a memorable second round victory. Well, the best part of that day for the Vols was the fact that the Mercer Bears upset the Duke Blue Devils, meaning they could play Mercer for a chance to reach the next weekend. And two days later, they made sure they took advantage.

Rocky Top jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never trailed in the game, winning 83-63. Jarnell Stokes had another double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Josh Richardson went off for 26 points, and Antonio Barton and Jordan McRae had 18 and 14 points respectively. The team effort got these guys to the next weekend.

What made it so legendary was that Martin, whose on fan base had a petition to get him fired a month earlier and had to play a play-in game to reach the Sweet Sixteen, got to the Sweet Sixteen. They actually should have made the Elite Eight, but a terrible charging call cost them in a two-point loss to the Michigan Wolverines. Despite that, this run was a success.

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