The 1989-1990 Tennessee basketball team was notable for its historic coaching change, as Wade Houston became the first African-American head coach in both Tennessee and SEC history. Houston, a former assistant coach at Louisville, led the team to a record of 16-14 (10-8 SEC), finishing fourth in the conference standings. The team averaged 81.9 points per game, ranking 45th out of 292 teams, but struggled on defense, allowing an average of 83.0 points per game, which ranked 261st in the nation. Despite these defensive struggles, the team benefited from a strong schedule, with a strength of schedule ranking of 41st in the nation.

One of the most notable players on the team was Allan Houston, who was recruited by his father to play at Tennessee. Houston would go on to become one of the most accomplished players in the history of the Tennessee basketball program, setting numerous records and being named an All-American during his time with the team. While the 1989-1990 team did not have the same level of success as some of Tennessee's other teams, it was an important milestone in the program's history due to the hiring of Wade Houston and the subsequent success of his son Allan.