The 1995-1996 Tennessee basketball team had a record of 14-15, finishing 6th in the SEC MBB East. They were led by coach Kevin O'Neill, who was in his second year as head coach. The team had a low scoring offense, averaging just 62.5 points per game, ranking 287th of 305 teams. However, their defense was stronger, allowing just 63.0 points per game, which ranked 13th in the nation.

Despite a losing record, the team had a respectable SRS (Simple Rating System) of 8.70, which ranked 60th out of 305 teams. This indicates that they were a better team than their record suggests. They also had a challenging schedule, with an SOS (Strength of Schedule) of 9.19, which ranked 22nd in the nation. Overall, the 1995-1996 Tennessee basketball team had a competitive season, led by a strong defensive effort and facing tough opponents.