Eh, I drink beer and shoot guns, if you like outdoors theres no better place. Boises about the same size as Knoxville and after my first trip to Knoxville this year, they are very similar, with us having mountains and a desert, and you guys having green hills.
Back in the 90's, (1994, I believe) UT hosted a Sweet 16 and it was a logistical failure mainly due to hotels, etc. Plus, as it's been stated. East TN in late Dec/Jan isn't an ideal destination.