The Tennessee Volunteers, encompassing both men’s and women’s sports, have recently experienced notable achievements and challenges across various athletic programs.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team concluded their season with a 78-76 loss to Ole Miss. A pivotal moment occurred when Ole Miss’s Jaemyn Brakefield scored a decisive putback with 7.5 seconds remaining. Despite a valiant effort, including a four-point play by Tennessee’s Igor Milicic Jr., the Volunteers couldn’t overcome the Rebels’ late-game surge.
Women’s Basketball
In the SEC women’s basketball tournament, the Lady Volunteers faced a 84-76 defeat against Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes led all scorers with 24 points, while Khamil Pierre contributed a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. This loss ended Tennessee’s tournament run, with Vanderbilt advancing to face top-seeded South Carolina in the quarterfinals.
Earlier in the season, the Lady Vols set an NCAA record by making 30 three-pointers in a single game against North Carolina Central University, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team achieved a 10-3 record during the 2024 season, marking their second 10-win regular season under head coach Josh Heupel. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava led the team, becoming the first Tennessee quarterback since Casey Clausen in 2003 to start a season with 10 wins.
Running back Dylan Sampson set single-season school records, leading the SEC in rushing yards and touchdowns. The Volunteers’ season concluded with a loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff first round.
Baseball
The baseball team had a historic 2024 season, culminating in their first College World Series championship. They tied the NCAA record for most wins in a season with a 60-13 record.
The Volunteers also became the first SEC team to win 60 games in a season and the first in NCAA history to have five players hit over 20 home runs each. Their postseason journey included winning the SEC Tournament and securing regional and super regional titles before clinching the national championship against Texas A&M.
Women’s Basketball Upcoming Event
Looking ahead, the Women’s Champions Classic is set to return to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on December 20, 2025. The event will feature marquee matchups, including Tennessee facing Louisville. This classic aims to bring high-quality women’s college basketball to a broad audience, with games broadcasted on Fox.
