2020–21 Tennessee Volunteers basketball team

The Volunteers finished the 2019–20 season 17–14, 9–9 in SEC play to finish in eighth place. They were set to take on Alabama in the second round of the SEC tournament. However, the remainder of the SEC Tournament was canceled amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All further postseason tournaments were likewise canceled.

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|collapse=|year=2020}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Keon Johnson

| position = SG

| hometown = Bell Buckle, TN

| highschool = The Webb School

| feet = 6

| inches = 4

| weight = 185

| 40 =

| commitdate = 08/06/2018

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 4

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Corey Walker

| position = PF

| hometown = Jacksonville, FL

| highschool = Hargrave Military Academy

| feet = 6

| inches = 7

| weight = 210

| 40 =

| commitdate = 03/03/2019

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

| espn stars = 4

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Jaden Springer

| position = SG

| hometown = Charlotte, NC

| highschool = IMG Academy

| feet = 6

| inches = 5

| weight = 195

| 40 =

| commitdate = 10/23/2019

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit End

| 40 =

| year = 2020

| rivals ref title = Rivals.com 2020 Tennessee Basketball Commitments

| scout ref title = 2020 Tennessee Basketball Commits

| espn ref title = Tennessee Volunteers 2020 Player Commits

| 247sports ref title = Tennessee 2020 Basketball Commits

| rivals school = tennessee

| scout s =

| espn schoolid =

| accessdate =

| bball = yes

}}

The SEC media poll was released on November 12, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.secsports.com/article/30297162/media-picks-vols-win-2021-sec-men-basketball-title|title=Media picks Vols to win 2021 SEC Men's Basketball title|date=November 12, 2020 |publisher=SEC Sports |access-date=January 8, 2021}}

The Volunteers had two players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

First Team

John Fulkerson

{{col-break}}

Second Team

Yves Pons

{{col-end}}

{{CBB roster/Header|year=2020|team=Tennessee Volunteers|teamcolors=y|high_school=yes}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Davonte |last=Gaines |num=0 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=7 |lbs=166 |class=so |rs= |home=Buffalo, NY |high_school=Hargrave Military Academy}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Drew |last=Pember |link=y|num=3 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=9 |lbs=207 |class=so |rs= |home=Knoxville, TN |high_school=Bearden HS}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Josiah-Jordan |last=James |link=y |num=5 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=6 |lbs=207 |class=so |rs= |home=Charleston, SC |high_school=Porter-Gaud School}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=John |last=Fulkerson |link=y |num=10 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=9 |lbs=215 |class=sr |rs=yes |home=Kingsport, TN |high_school=Christ School}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Jaden |last=Springer |link=y |num=11 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=4 |lbs=204 |class=fr |rs= |home=Charlotte, NC |high_school=IMG Academy}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Victor |last=Bailey Jr. |num=12 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=4 |lbs=179 |class=jr |rs=yes |home=Austin, TX |high_school=Oregon}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Olivier |last=Nkamhoua |link=y |num=13 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=8 |lbs=223 |class=so |rs= |home=Helsinki, Finland |high_school=Bishop Walsh School}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Corey |last=Walker Jr. |num=15 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=8 |lbs=219 |class=fr |home=Hastings, FL |high_school=Hargrave Military Academy}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Kent |last=Gilbert |num=21 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=1 |lbs=164 |class=fr |home=Greenville, NC |high_school=Conley HS|note=W}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Isaiah |last=Sulack |num=24 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=5 |lbs=170 |class=so |rs=yes |home=Knoxville, TN |high_school=Bossier Parish CC}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Santiago |last=Véscovi |link=y |num=25 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=3 |lbs=188 |class=so |rs= |home=Montevideo, Uruguay |high_school=NBA Global Academy}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Brock |last=Jancek |num=30 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=8 |lbs=222 |class=jr |rs= |home=Knoxville, TN |high_school=Knoxville Catholic HS|note=W}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Cole |last=Morris |num=32 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=9 |lbs=192 |class=fr |rs= |home=Marietta, GA |high_school=Walton HS}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Uroš |last=Plavšić |num=34 |pos=F |ft=7 |in=0 |lbs=262 |class=so |rs=yes |home=Ivanjica, Serbia |high_school=Arizona State}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Yves |last=Pons |link=y |num=35 |pos=G/F |ft=6 |in=6 |lbs=215 |class=sr |rs= |home=Fuveau, France |high_school=INSEP}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=Keon |last=Johnson |dab=basketball, born 2002 |link=y |num=45 |pos=G |ft=6 |in=5|lbs=186 |class=fr |rs= |home=Shelbyville, TN |high_school=The Webb School}}

{{CBB roster/Player |first=E.J. |last=Anosike |link=y|num=55 |pos=F |ft=6 |in=7 |lbs=245 |class=sr |rs= |home=East Orange, NJ |high_school=Sacred Heart}}

{{CBB roster/Footer

|head_coach=

• Rick Barnes ({{college|Lenoir–Rhyne}})

|asst_coach=

• Michael Schwartz ({{college|Texas}})
• Desmond Oliver ({{college|Dominican College (NY)}})
• Kim English ({{college|Missouri}})

|roster_url=https://utsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2020-21

|accessdate=

}}

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the season was pushed back from the scheduled start of November 10.{{Cite web|title=NCAA committees pushing for Nov. 25 as the start date for the 2020-21 college basketball season|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ncaa-committees-pushing-for-nov-25-as-the-start-date-for-the-2020-21-college-basketball-season/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=CBSSports.com|language=en}} On September 16, 2020, the NCAA announced that November 25 would be the new start date.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=NCAA: Men's, women's hoops can start Nov. 25|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29900866/sources-ncaa-college-basketball-season-start-nov-25|access-date=2020-09-23|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}

On November 23, it was announced that head coach Rick Barnes had tested positive for COVID-19 and that the school had paused all basketball activities while further tests were conducted within the program.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-23|title=Tennessee pauses activities, Barnes tests positive|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30373832/tennessee-volunteers-pause-activities-rick-barnes-tests-positive-coronavirus|access-date=2020-11-23|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}{{CBB schedule start|time=yes|rank=|ranklink=|rankyear=2020–21|tv=yes|attend=yes|gamehighs=yes}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Tennessee Volunteers}}|Non-conference regular season

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 8, 2020

| time = 6:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 12

| opponent = Colorado

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| tv = SECN+

| score = 56–47

| highscorer = Tied

| points = 11

| highrebounder = Pons

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Vescovi

| assists = 5

| attend = 4,191

| record = 1–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 12, 2020

| time = 12:30 pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 12

| opponent = Cincinnati

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| tv = SECN Alt.

| score = 65–56

| highscorer = Fulkerson

| points = 15

| highrebounder = Fulkerson

| rebounds = 12

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 3

| attend = 4,191

| record = 2–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 15, 2020

| time = 7:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 10

| opponent = Appalachian State

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| tv = SECN

| score = 79–38

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 13

| highrebounder = Bailey Jr.

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Vesocvi

| assists = 4

| attend = 4,191

| record = 3–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 19, 2020

| time = 8:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 10

| opponent = Tennessee Tech

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN+

| score = 103–49

| highscorer = Springer

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 6

| attend = 4,191

| record = 4–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 21, 2020

| time = 6:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 8

| opponent = St. Joseph's

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 102–66

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Pons

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 5

| attend = 4,191

| record = 5–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 23, 2020

| time = 7:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 8

| opponent = USC Upstate

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 80–60

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 18

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Vescovi

| assists = 8

| attend = 4,191

| record = 6–0

}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Tennessee Volunteers}}|SEC regular season

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 30, 2020

| time = 9:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| rank = 7

| opponent = Missouri

| opprank = 12

| site_stadium = Mizzou Arena

| site_cityst = Columbia, MO

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 73–53

| highscorer = Vescovi

| points = 15

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = James

| assists = 4

| attend = 3,164

| record = 7–0

| conference = 1–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 2, 2021

| time = 6:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 7

| opponent = Alabama

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 63–71

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 16

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 2

| attend = 4,191

| record = 7–1

| conference = 1–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 6, 2021

| time = 7:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 9

| opponent = Arkansas

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 79–74

| highscorer = Tied

| points = 17

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 3

| attend = 4,191

| record = 8–1

| conference = 2–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 9, 2021

| time = 2:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| rank = 9

| opponent = Texas A&M

| site_stadium = Reed Arena

| site_cityst = College Station, TX

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 68–54

| highscorer = Vescovi

| points = 23

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 5

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 6

| attend = 1,298

| record = 9–1

| conference = 3–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 12, 2021

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| away = yes

| opponent = South Carolina

| rank = 9

| site_stadium = Colonial Life Arena

| site_cityst = Columbia, SC

| result_details = Postponed

| status = p

| tv = ESPN2/ESPNU

| score =

| highscorer =  

| points =

| highrebounder =  

| rebounds =

| highassister =  

| assists =

| attend =

| record =

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 16, 2021

| time = 6:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 10

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 81–61

| highscorer = Johnson

| points = 16

| highrebounder = Fulkerson

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 5

| attend = 4,191

| record = 10–1

| conference = 4–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 19, 2021

| time = 7:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| rank = 6

| opponent = Florida

| site_stadium = O'Connell Center

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN

| score = 49–75

| highscorer = Fulkerson

| points = 8

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 5

| highassister = Fulkerson

| assists = 5

| attend = 2,280

| record = 10–2

| conference = 4–2

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 23, 2021

| time = 8:30 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 6

| opponent = Missouri

| opprank = 19

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 64–73

| highscorer = Pons

| points = 20

| highrebounder = Fulkerson

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Vescovi

| assists = 4

| attend = 4,191

| record = 10–3

| conference = 4–3

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 26, 2021

| time = 7:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 18

| opponent = Mississippi State

| opprank =

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 56–53

| highscorer = Pons

| points = 13

| highrebounder = Vescovi

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 5

| attend = 4,191

| record = 11–3

| conference = 5–3

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 30, 2021

| time = 6:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 18

| opponent = Kansas

| opprank = 15

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename = SEC/Big 12 Challenge

| tv = ESPN

| score = 80–61

| highscorer = Pons

| points = 17

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 4

| attend = 4,191

| record = 12–3

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 2, 2021

| time = 7:00 pm

| rank = 11

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| opponent = Ole Miss

| site_stadium = The Pavilion at Ole Miss

| site_cityst = Oxford, MS

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 50–52

| highscorer = Pons

| points = 13

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 4

| attend = 895

| record = 12–4

| conference = 5–4

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 6, 2021

| time = 8:00 pm

| rank = 11

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| opponent = Kentucky

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN

| score = 82–71

| highscorer = Johnson

| points = 27

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Vescovi

| assists = 5

| attend = 3,075

| record = 13–4

| conference = 6–4

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 10, 2021

| time = 8:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| rank = 16

| opponent = Georgia

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 89–81

| highscorer = Springer

| points = 30

| highrebounder = Fulkerson

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Fulkerson

| assists = 4

| attend = 4,191

| record = 14–4

| conference = 7–4

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 13, 2021

| time = 2:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| rank = 16

| opponent = LSU

| site_stadium = Pete Maravich Assembly Center

| site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN

| score = 65–78

| highscorer = Springer

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 7

| attend = 2,224

| record = 14–5

| conference = 7–5

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 17, 2021

| time = 9:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 19

| opponent = South Carolina

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 93–73

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 29

| highrebounder = Pons

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 5

| attend = 4,191

| record = 15–5

| conference = 8–5

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 20, 2021

| time = 1:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| rank = 19

| opponent = Kentucky

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = CBS

| score = 55–70

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Fulkerson

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Johnson

| assists = 5

| attend = 4,191

| record = 15–6

| conference = 8–6

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 24, 2021

| time = 9:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| rank = 25

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Memorial Gymnasium

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = SECN

| score = 70–58

| highscorer = Bailey Jr.

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Pons

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 3

| attend = 144

| record = 16–6

| conference = 9–6

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 27, 2021

| time = 12:00 pm

| nonconf =

| away = yes

| neutral =

| rank = 25

| opponent = Auburn

| site_stadium = Auburn Arena

| site_cityst = Auburn, AL

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN

| score = 72–77

| highscorer = Johnson

| points = 23

| highrebounder = Pons

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 6

| attend = 1,824

| record = 16–7

| conference = 9–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 7, 2021

| time = 12:00 pm

| rank =

| nonconf =

| away =

| neutral =

| opponent = Florida

| site_stadium = Thompson–Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename =

| tv = ESPNU

| score = 65–54

| highscorer = Tied

| points = 14

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Fulkerson

| assists = 4

| attend = 4,191

| record = 17–7

| conference = 10–7

}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Tennessee Volunteers}}| 2021 SEC men's basketball tournament

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 12, 2021

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| nonconf =

| neutral = yes

| rank =

| seed = 4

| opponent = Florida

| opprank =

| oppseed = 5

| site_stadium = Bridgestone Arena

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| gamename = Quarterfinals

| tv = ESPN

| score = 78–66

| highscorer = Vescovi

| points = 14

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 6

| overtime =

| attend = 2,186

| record = 18–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 13, 2021

| time = 1:00 p.m.

| nonconf =

| neutral = yes

| rank =

| seed = 4

| opponent = Alabama

| opprank = 6

| oppseed = 1

| site_stadium = Bridgestone Arena

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| gamename = Semifinals

| tv = ESPN

| score = 68–73

| highscorer = Johnson

| points = 20

| highrebounder = Johnson

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Vescovi

| assists = 4

| overtime =

| attend = 3,164

| record = 18–8

}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Tennessee Volunteers}}| 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 19, 2021

| time = 4:30 p.m.

| nonconf = yes

| neutral = yes

| seed = 5 MW

| opponent = Oregon State

| oppseed = 12 MW

| site_stadium = Bankers Life Fieldhouse

| site_cityst = Indianapolis, IN

| gamename = First Round

| tv = TNT

| score = 56–70

| highscorer = Johnson

| points = 14

| highrebounder = James

| rebounds = 13

| highassister = Springer

| assists = 3

| attend =

| record = 18–9

}}

{{CBB schedule end|rank=| poll=AP Poll|timezone=Eastern Time}}

Source{{cite web |title=2020-21 Men's Basketball Schedule |url=https://utsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2020-21 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |accessdate=21 November 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=2020-21 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/2633|access-date=2020-11-23|website=ESPN|language=en}}

{{See also|2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings}}

{{Ranking movements

| poll1title = AP

| poll1firstweek = 0

| poll1lastweek =17

| poll1_0= 12

| poll1_1= 12

| poll1_2= 13

| poll1_3= 12

| poll1_4= 10

| poll1_5= 8

| poll1_6= 7

| poll1_7= 9

| poll1_8= 10

| poll1_9= 6

| poll1_10= 18

| poll1_11= 11

| poll1_12= 16

| poll1_13= 19

| poll1_14= 25

| poll1_15= RV

| poll1_16= RV

| poll1_17= RV

| poll1_18=

| poll1_19=

| poll1_20=

| poll2title = Coaches

| poll2firstweek = 0

| poll2lastweek =18

| poll2_0=14

| poll2_1=14^

| poll2_2= 16

| poll2_3= 10

| poll2_4= 8

| poll2_5= 8

| poll2_6= 6

| poll2_7= 8

| poll2_8= 10

| poll2_9= 6

| poll2_10=17

| poll2_11=10

| poll2_12=15

| poll2_13=20

| poll2_14=RV

| poll2_15= RV

| poll2_16= RV

| poll2_17=RV

| poll2_18=RV

| poll2_19=

| poll2_20=

}}

^Coaches did not release a Week 1 poll.

{{Reflist}}

{{Tennessee Volunteers basketball navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2020-21 Tennessee Volunteers basketball team}}

Category:Tennessee Volunteers basketball seasons

Tennessee Volunteers

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