stub over tennessee

Stub Draft
February 8, 2008
Tennessee Basketball

The men's basketball program has always been a little behind the women’s team since it was founded in the 1908-1909 academic year. But they are finally catching up with the women's team now. Although the guys have had their share of success with 15 total appearances in the NCAA tournament. Along with the appearances in the National Invitational tournament also know as the NIT tournament eleven times. They have been successful in the South Eastern Conference with 8 championships. These championships came in 1936, 1941, 1943, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, and 2000. The championships in the years of 1972, 1977, and 2000 were all shared championships with some other team of the South Eastern Conference Tennessee played their home games at the Thompson-Boiling Arena. Tennessee fan support is one of the best in the nation since they have been in the Thompson-Boiling arena they have had an average of 20,000 fans every game and the fan support is still going very strong even today. In 2006-2007 the Volunteers were ranked 4th nationally in attendance with average of 19,661 which is the second largest of any pervious year. Along with that, since Bruce Pearl has arrived in March of 2005, the fan support has grown by 7,436 on average. Bruce Pearl’s style of play of fast pace, physical press defense, and up tempo game has fans just waiting to watch and come to every game. They are averaging about 80 points a game in the 07-08 season and that is what people like to see. It also helps being in the best conference considered by many to play in. This will make for many more close and high scoring games. Tennessee has been at the height of their success since hiring head coach Bruce Pearl from UW-Milwaukee. Only one South Eastern Conference team has a winning record against the Volunteers since Bruce Pearl came to the school. Along with Pearl is a great coaching staff of assistants, including Tony Jones, Steve Forbes, Jason Shay, and Ken Johnson. Also have produced a lot of NBA talent, including players like Ernie Grunfeld, Bernard King, Allan Houston, Dale Ellis, Tony White, Ron Slay, and Larry Robinson. Bernard King is the only player in Tennessee history to have their jersey retired. Tennessee currently ranks 7th in the national ranking with a 19-2 record as of the 07-08 season and having a great year, drawing much national attention to the school along with the other great athletic programs at the school.