No. 8: 2016-17
Head Coach: Rick Barnes
Record: 16-16 (8-10, SEC)
Best win(s): vs. No. 5 Kentucky
Key players: Robert Hubbs, Grant Williams
Year two of the Rick Barnes era had players such as Grant Williams, Jordan Bone and Admiral Schofield entering their second or third seasons in the program. It was a frustrating start to the season, as Tennessee started with a brutal non-conference slate that brought close losses to No. 16 Wisconsin, No. 12 Oregon and a 73-71 road loss to No. 7 North Carolina. There was a feeling that this team could be talented enough to compete with the best, but just could not get over that hump.
The SEC slate continued with frustrating inconsistencies, apart from a four-game win streak that included an 82-80 home win over No. 5 Kentucky and a Big 12/SEC challenge victory against Kansas State. Tennessee was 14-10 in early February, again with hopes to bring a late season charge into the NCAA Tournament.
The Vols sputtered, however, losing five of their last seven games and dropping their first SEC tournament game to Georgia, 59-57.
Despite another disappointing finish in which Tennessee appeared to run out of gas, it was clear seeds were being planted in Barnes’ culture. Senior Robert Hubbs was the star of the show in Barnes’ second season, averaging nearly 14 points and five rebounds per game, but the future appeared to be bright in Knoxville.
NEXT: Tennessee’s basketball teams from the past decade