Their most recent run in the NCAA Tournament is Tennessee basketball's deepest run. The 2024 Vols made a run to the Elite Eight last year, tying the program's deepest run in the tournament.
The Vols will look to at least repeat last year's efforts in this year's tournament with another favorable draw as a 2-seed. They beat Saint Peter's, Texas, and Creighton on their way to an Elite Eight appearance before running into Purdue.
It was the second time in program history that Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight. The first time came in 2010 under Bruce Pearl. The Vols lost a heartbreaker 69-70 against Michigan State to fall short of their first Final Four appearance.
The Vols' second Elite Eight appearance ended in the same disappointing result as their 2010 run. Tennessee lost to one-seed Purdue 72-66.
Tennessee has advanced to the second weekend ten times all-time. While Barnes has gotten Tennessee to the tournament's second weekend multiple times as the Vols' head coach, he has yet to get them to the Final Four.
No Tennessee basketball team has advanced to the Final Four, but that could change this year if the Vols stay hot in the NCAA Tournament.
The Vols have another favorable seeding for this year's NCAA Tournament, giving them another strong opportunity to advance to at least the Elite Eight.
Tennessee will start its NCAA Tournament run as the 2-seed in the Midwest Region this year. The Vols will face Wofford in the first round and the winner of UCLA and Utah State in round two. Their spot in the Midwest Region is the best-case scenario for the Vols after a strong SEC Tournament run.