Tennessee Basketball: Which teams have the Volunteers never beaten?

Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) controls the ball against Florida Atlantic Owls guard Johnell Davis (1) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) controls the ball against Florida Atlantic Owls guard Johnell Davis (1) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers’ cheerleader performs during a stop in play against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers’ cheerleader performs during a stop in play against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Utah

  • Overall series record: 0-2
  • First matchup: December 17, 1977
  • Last matchup: December 27, 1978
  • Last score: Utah 80, Tennessee 71

Though recent years have featured some sparseness, Utah has had some exciting moments in their basketball history. Unfortunately for the Volunteers, they’ve also had Tennessee’s number, though both games in this series came nearly half a century ago.

These two first matched up in Knoxville in mid-Dec. 1977 as part of the Volunteer Classic. In a season where Utah would advance to the Sweet Sixteen, the Utes left town with an 85-80 victory and were certainly Tennessee’s toughest non-conference opponent that year.

Just one season later, Utah would appear on the Volunteers’ schedule again, albeit in a much more successful year in Knoxville. Matching up in the first round of the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, the Utes again took charge, getting an 80-71 win en route to another 20-win season.