Allan Houston Deserving of Honor
Founder, Checkerboard Chatter
On Sunday when the Kentucky Wildcats visit Thompson-Boling Arena the Tennessee basketball program will honor one of the great Volunteers to ever wear the orange. Allan Houston, who is a native of Louisville, will have his number 20 retired by Tennessee.
Houston was an immediate impact player for the Vols. In his freshman campaign of 1989-'90 he averaged over 36 minutes and 20 points per game. His career numbers are astonishing. Houston scored 2801 points in his Tennessee career. When his four years in Knoxville were over he boasted career per game averages of 36 minutes, 21.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He also shot 42.4 percent from 3-point land in his career. The astounding thing about the numbers is the fact that he was the only real threat on some pretty bad teams, yet still found a way to put together one of the best individual careers in SEC history.
Allan Houston and the Vols never made the NCAA Tournament during his tenure and averaged only 15 wins a season from '89-'90 through his senior year of '92-'93. They made two NIT appearances where they were eliminated in the second round both times.
Despite disappointing team results, Allan Houston excited the fanbase and gave Tennessee hoops fans something to be proud of in the early 1990's. The Ballard High School state champion went on to have a 12 year NBA career where he averaged more than 19 points a game.
The retired jersey on Sunday is a fitting honor for a great Volunteer.
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