Question: All Time Tennessee Jersey Numbers (the missing bunch)

[amaralfan1]

I was just going through the UT Media Guide and noticed there are several jersey numbers that have never been worn by Tennessee players. I'm not familiar with whether there are certain numbers just never assigned in Basketball... or if there are numbers specifically designated by a player's position. Are there numbers considered unlucky in college basketball?

Here is a list of numbers that have never been worn by a player in Tennessee basketball history:

- 6-9
- 26-29
- 36-39
- 46
- 49

 

[7th_HESS]

I was just going through the UT Media Guide and noticed there are several jersey numbers that have never been worn by Tennessee players. I'm not familiar with whether there are certain numbers just never assigned in Basketball... or if there are numbers specifically designated by a player's position. Are there numbers considered unlucky in college basketball?

Here is a list of numbers that have never been worn by a player in Tennessee basketball history:

- 6-9
- 26-29
- 36-39
- 46
- 49

I also noticed, in general, that the numbers 6 thru 9 are not used in basketball, if ever. When a player fouls and the refs relay their number to the scorers table
they seem to signal with their fingers on each hand. Hence, only 1 thru 5 on each hand. Am I imagining this? Or is there a rule "no numbers over 5"?

 

[amaralfan1]

I also noticed, in general, that the numbers 6 thru 9 are not used in basketball, if ever. When a player fouls and the refs relay their number to the scorers table
they seem to signal with their fingers on each hand. Hence, only 1 thru 5 on each hand. Am I imagining this? Or is there a rule "no numbers over 5"?

That's an interesting theory that I hadn't considered. But 16-19 as well as 47 and 48 have been worn by multiple former Vols.

 

[PureOrange]

By rule in high school and college numbers 6 thru 9 and 60 thru 99 are not allowed because of officiating hand signals.

 

[peerless98]

I also noticed, in general, that the numbers 6 thru 9 are not used in basketball, if ever. When a player fouls and the refs relay their number to the scorers table
they seem to signal with their fingers on each hand. Hence, only 1 thru 5 on each hand. Am I imagining this? Or is there a rule "no numbers over 5"?

Yes, you can't use a number bigger than 5

 

[BruisedOrange]

I also noticed, in general, that the numbers 6 thru 9 are not used in basketball, if ever. When a player fouls and the refs relay their number to the scorers table
they seem to signal with their fingers on each hand. Hence, only 1 thru 5 on each hand. Am I imagining this? Or is there a rule "no numbers over 5"?

There are a few inbred areas of KY where many refs can handle sixes with either hand.
Just FYI.

 

[Creeker]

Not sure how long it’s been in place exactly, but Rule 1. Section 22. Article 7 of the ncaa rules has the following listed. “The following numbers are legal: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55. Team rosters can include 0 or 00, but not both.”

 

[Volfan1000]

They retired number 6 in the NBA this season to honor Bill Russell.

 

[amaralfan1]

Not sure how long it’s been in place exactly, but Rule 1. Section 22. Article 7 of the ncaa rules has the following listed. “The following numbers are legal: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55. Team rosters can include 0 or 00, but not both.”

You've answered my question! Based on the illegal numbers that our players have worn in the past, this rule went into effect sometime around the early to mid-1960s. Here are the last times those numbers were worn by the Vols.

16: Howie Moss in 1962
17: Bob Schaumann in 1961
18: Paul Newman in 1958
19: Noel Cramer in 1962 (Doug Atkins wore it in 1951!)
47: "Hampton" in 1948 (the media guide has no first name for him)
48: Marshall Hawkins in 1948