The 2009-2010 Tennessee basketball team had a promising start to the season, entering the regular season ranked in the top 10 and starting with a 10-2 record. However, on New Year's Day, several players were arrested and subsequently suspended for multiple games. This left the Volunteers with only six scholarship players. Despite the setbacks, the undermanned Volunteers managed to defeat no. 1 Kansas in a sellout game with a shot clock-beating three-point shot by freshman walk-on Skylar McBee. Tennessee rode the momentum of this victory to a 23-7 regular season record, including another upset of second-ranked Kentucky.

As the no. 6 seed in the tournament bracket, the Volunteers defeated San Diego State and Ohio to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third time in five years. In a rematch of the 2007 Sweet Sixteen, the Volunteers faced the Ohio State Buckeyes and secured their first appearance in the Elite Eight in program history with a blocked shot by J.P. Prince in the final seconds.

In the Elite Eight, the Volunteers faced Michigan State in a closely contested game. After a fast start, Tennessee struggled in the second half and was down by one point with 11 seconds left when Scotty Hopson was set to attempt two free throws. Although he made the first, he missed the second, and Michigan State was able to secure a win and advance to the Final Four. Despite the disappointment of falling one game short of the Final Four, the 2009-2010 Tennessee basketball team demonstrated resilience and tenacity throughout the season.