2025 has come and gone. After a banner 2024 for Tennessee athletics, it was a good but not great 2025 for the Vols’ athletic department. Men’s and women’s basketball each made the second week of the NCAA Tournament, baseball made it to the super regionals, softball made the Women’s College World Series while football posted a lackluster 8-5 (4-4 SEC) season.
Here’s a look at the five best moments of Tennessee athletics’ 2025.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Defensive Back, Chris Brazzell’s Brother Enters Transfer Portal
5. Football Ends Losing Streak In The Swamp
Tennessee went to Gainesville in November looking for its first win in The Swamp since 2003. The Gators had already fired Billy Napier amidst a disappointing season, but plenty of Tennessee teams had lost to bad Florida teams in Gainesville over the previous 22 years.
The 2025 Vols left no doubt. They jumped on Florida by taking a 31-0 lead in the first half before coasting to a 31-11 victory. DeSean Bishop ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns while Ethan Davis caught five passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Aguilar to Ethan Davis (a tight end), TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/6C77myngja
— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) November 23, 2025
4. Lady Vols Basketball Beat UConn
Kim Caldwell got a statement win in her first season in Knoxville by knocking off rival UConn 80-76. It was the Lady Vols’ first win over the Huskies since 2007.
Four Lady Vols scored in double figures while Jewel Spear and Zee Spearman each hit go-ahead shots in the game’s final three minutes. The win only looked better in hindsight as UConn went on to win the National Championship.
TENNESSEE TAKES DOWN UCONN!
First-year Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell beats Geno Auriemma in their first meeting 👏 pic.twitter.com/w60EFN5BxF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 7, 2025
3. Jahmai Mashack Beats The Buzzer To Beat Alabama
Few Vol fans will forget the 35-footer that Jahmai Mashack drilled at the buzzer to beat Alabama in Knoxville. But don’t forget everything Mashack did in the minutes before to make it possible.
Tennessee looked dead with Alabama leading by three with the ball and 35 seconds left. But Mashack made it a four-point possession to tie the game by drawing a foul on a missed Chaz Lanier free throw and knocking down the ensuing two free throws. He then forced a tie up on the defensive end of the court and denied Mark Sears on the ensuing inbound pass to force a five-second violation, setting up his game-winning triple.
Holy hell, Tennessee beats Alabama with a shot by Jahmai Mashack
That was WILD pic.twitter.com/MEJSpnwHMJ
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) March 1, 2025
2. Liam Doyle Slams The Door On Wake Forest
“I’m Shipping Up To Boston” blared from the Lindsey Nelson Stadium speakers as ace Liam Doyle trotted in from the bullpen with one-on and two outs in the seventh inning as the Vols clang to an 8-5 lead in game seven of the Knoxville Regional.
Wake Forest might as well have started making its way to the bus then. Doyle retired all seven batters he faced and struck out five of them to send Tennessee to the super regionals for the fifth straight time. It came just three days after he struck out 11 while allowing one run in 6.2 innings pitched against Miami (Ohio).
Tennessee headed to the Super Regionals in Fayetteville, after beating Wake Forest 11-5
Starting pitcher Liam Doyle immediately throws up 🫶 to the fans. Good lord he was throwing 🔥
Now, we get Arkansas vs. Tennessee, round 2
Gotta love College baseball pic.twitter.com/D8KpiPiNx9
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) June 3, 2025
1. Men’s Basketball Whips Kentucky In Sweet 16
Kentucky beat Tennessee in both the regular season matchups before the two teams faced off in the Sweet 16 in Indianapolis. It was the first ever meeting between the two teams in the NCAA Tournament.
The Vols quickly showed this game wasn’t going to be anything like the first two meetings. Tennessee took a 25-15 lead with 8:54 to play in the first half. It was never single-digits again. Tennessee lead by as much as 19 points in the first half, 15 points at halftime and coasted to a 78-65 win.
Zakai Zeigler had an 18-point, 10-assist double-double while Chaz Lanier added 17 points and Jordan Gainey added 16 points. It was the Vols’ third ever trip to the Elite Eight and it came in a semi-road environment against their biggest rival.
elite energy pic.twitter.com/08sjCZVg2c
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 29, 2025
Honorable mention
- Lady Vols softball wins final two games of Knoxville Super Regional to return to Women’s College World Series
- Lady Vols basketball defeats Ohio State in Columbus to advance to Sweet 16.
- Men’s basketball wins thriller against Auburn in SEC Tournament Semifinals
- Men’s basketball avenges Elite Eight loss against Houston with 76-73 win in Las Vegas.
