2000 vs. Connecticut
Prior to 2000, Tennessee had never been to the Sweet Sixteen since the tournament expanded to 64 teams back in 1985. In fact, they had never won two games in any NCAA Tournament period before the 2000 tournament.
But Jerry Green’s 1999-2000 squad had history on their mind when they took on Connecticut in the second round of the tournament. And they prevailed over history.
The Vols trailed only once in the entire game, led by 10 at halftime, and ultimately won the game by 14 points. Tennessee lucked out that the Huskies’ point guard, Khalid El-Amin, was limited due to an ankle injury and was held to just three points in 13 minutes. He had averaged 16 points per game in the regular season.
Tennessee got the win, and they were Sweet Sixteen bound for the first time in program history since the field expanded. And it was the first time in school history that the Vols won two straight games in the NCAA Tournament.
