The team's head coach was Cuonzo Martin, who was in his second season at Tennessee.

The team played their home games at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee as a member of the Southeastern Conference.

The Volunteers posted a record of 19–15 (10-6 SEC) in the 2011–12 season and finished second in the SEC standings in Cuonzo Martin's first season as head coach.

The season was highlighted by a sweep of Florida and a victory over perennial power Connecticut.

The Volunteers lost in the first round of the NIT to Middle Tennessee State by a score of 64-71.