This was Tennessee's 24th appearance
Record of 23-25
Note: Obviously unless you win the NC, each appearance gives you a loss but Tennessee has one additional loss back in 1967 when consolation games were played.
Sweet 16 appearances: 8
Note: Back in 1967, UT's first appearance, the whole field was only 16 teams, so if you were selected, you were technically in the sweet 16.
Tennessee made the sweet 16 in 1981 in a field of 32 teams so only one win was required.
Since expansion to 64 teams in 1985, Tennessee has 5 sweet 16's and since expansion to 68 teams, which Tennessee had one first four entrance, Tennessee has one more sweet 16.
Elite 8: One
Final four: Zero
Tennessee was out after the first round in 9 tournaments.
Personally, I have witnessed every one of Tennessee's NCAA appearances back to their first one in 1967 when I was a student. For me the NCAA record and performance generally speaking has been a major disappointment. One elite 8 is the pinnacle?
And fewer wins than appearances certainly is a sign of under achievement, imo.
I know seeding is subjective and better seeds lose to lesser seeds all the time but part of the frustration at least for me is having quite a few losses to lesser seeds, sometimes with wide separation on the seeding chart.
I have a lot of good thoughts about this team and this season to completely throw it out because of yesterday. Being undefeated at home, winning a SECT and beating Kentucky twice are nothing to dismiss as nothing. But there is no hiding the disappointment and hope that I or we would see a deep tournament run for a change. But what happened yesterday certainly fits the history of what so much of Tennessee basketball in the NCAA tourney has become. Disappointing!
But you be the judge.
Record of 23-25
Note: Obviously unless you win the NC, each appearance gives you a loss but Tennessee has one additional loss back in 1967 when consolation games were played.
Sweet 16 appearances: 8
Note: Back in 1967, UT's first appearance, the whole field was only 16 teams, so if you were selected, you were technically in the sweet 16.
Tennessee made the sweet 16 in 1981 in a field of 32 teams so only one win was required.
Since expansion to 64 teams in 1985, Tennessee has 5 sweet 16's and since expansion to 68 teams, which Tennessee had one first four entrance, Tennessee has one more sweet 16.
Elite 8: One
Final four: Zero
Tennessee was out after the first round in 9 tournaments.
Personally, I have witnessed every one of Tennessee's NCAA appearances back to their first one in 1967 when I was a student. For me the NCAA record and performance generally speaking has been a major disappointment. One elite 8 is the pinnacle?
And fewer wins than appearances certainly is a sign of under achievement, imo.
I know seeding is subjective and better seeds lose to lesser seeds all the time but part of the frustration at least for me is having quite a few losses to lesser seeds, sometimes with wide separation on the seeding chart.
I have a lot of good thoughts about this team and this season to completely throw it out because of yesterday. Being undefeated at home, winning a SECT and beating Kentucky twice are nothing to dismiss as nothing. But there is no hiding the disappointment and hope that I or we would see a deep tournament run for a change. But what happened yesterday certainly fits the history of what so much of Tennessee basketball in the NCAA tourney has become. Disappointing!
But you be the judge.
