The 2005-2006 Tennessee basketball team marked the beginning of a new era under the guidance of coach Bruce Pearl. After taking Wisconsin-Milwaukee to a Sweet Sixteen the previous season, Pearl was hired as the new head coach, replacing Buzz Peterson. He inherited a team that had not experienced much success, but showed promise with future NBA senior point guard C.J. Watson and All-SEC freshman team shooting guard Chris Lofton.

Pearl's coaching style, which emphasized an up-tempo offense and pressing defense, had an immediate impact on the team. In his first season, he led the Volunteers to a 22-8 record, an SEC East Division championship, and a no. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The team achieved some of the most memorable wins in program history, including two victories against the eventual national champion Florida Gators. One of the most notable wins came against Kentucky in Rupp Arena, with Lofton leading the team to its first win there since 1999.

The success of the 2005-2006 season was just the beginning for Pearl and his staff, who would go on to lead the Volunteers to six consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Pearl's tenure at Tennessee was marked by a commitment to high-energy play, tough defense, and a relentless work ethic, all of which helped to transform the program into a perennial contender in the SEC and on the national stage.