Tennessee Basketball Trending Up as Vols Eye Return to Top 25
Don’t look now, but Tennessee basketball is starting to put the pieces together. The Vols are riding a three-game SEC win streak and sit at 15-6 overall (5-3 in conference play), just outside the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. With momentum finally swinging their way, a return to the top 25 feels imminent-if they can keep handling business.
Next up: Ole Miss. The Vols host the Rebels (11-10, 3-5 SEC) at Food City Center on Feb. 3, tipping off at 7 p.m.
ET on ESPN2. And while the Rebels have talent, they’re trending in the opposite direction, having dropped three straight games to Auburn, Kentucky and No.
15 Vanderbilt to close out January.
Nate Ament’s Emergence Has Been a Game-Changer
Freshman forward Nate Ament has been nothing short of electric. He dropped 22 points in Tennessee’s 77-69 win over Auburn on Jan. 31, continuing a red-hot stretch where he’s scored at least 17 in six straight games.
What’s more, Ament isn’t just scoring-he’s attacking. He’s earned nine or more free throw attempts in four of those six contests, showing a level of aggression and maturity well beyond his years.
Ament’s ability to get downhill and draw contact has added a new dimension to Tennessee’s offense, especially with starting center Felix Okpara sidelined by a left calf injury. Okpara remains day-to-day after going down against Georgia, and while his presence is missed on the defensive end, the Vols haven’t missed a beat thanks to the next-man-up mentality.
DeWayne Brown II Stepping Into the Spotlight
That “next man” has been freshman DeWayne Brown II, who got the starting nod against Auburn and made the most of it. Brown filled the stat sheet with 10 points, seven boards, four assists, two steals and a block-an all-around performance that showed he’s more than just a stopgap. He brought energy, versatility, and a physical edge that helped Tennessee control the paint and the tempo.
With Okpara’s status still uncertain, Brown’s development could be a key storyline moving forward. Tennessee doesn’t need him to be a star-they just need him to keep playing tough, smart basketball. So far, he’s answered the call.
Ole Miss Searching for Answers
On the other side, Ole Miss is trying to stop the bleeding. After a promising stretch of three straight SEC wins, the Rebels have hit a wall. Their recent losses haven’t just been setbacks-they’ve exposed some cracks in the foundation.
Senior guard AJ Storr leads the way for Ole Miss with 14 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He’s a capable scorer, but the Rebels have struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm.
Malik Dia has been a steady presence down low, averaging 13.8 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds. A Nashville native, Dia’s journey has taken him from Vanderbilt to Belmont and now to Oxford, and he’s become a central figure for this Ole Miss squad.
Still, the Rebels will need more than individual efforts to hang with a Tennessee team that’s rediscovered its identity.
Vols Finding Their Groove at the Right Time
It’s been an up-and-down season for Rick Barnes’ squad, but the recent stretch suggests they’ve turned a corner. Wins over Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn have Tennessee trending in the right direction, and the offense is starting to click in a way that wasn’t always there earlier in the year.
The Vols’ resume is already solid, with quality wins over Houston, Texas, and Alabama. Close losses to Kansas and Kentucky stung, but they showed this team can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Now, it’s about consistency-something Barnes has openly called for from his veterans.
With a favorable matchup against Ole Miss and a chance to keep building momentum, Tennessee has an opportunity to reintroduce itself to the national conversation. A win on Saturday won’t just improve their record-it could be the final push they need to crack back into the rankings.
Tennessee vs. Ole Miss Game Info
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 3
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Food City Center, Knoxville, TN
- TV: ESPN2
The Vols are heating up, and with young stars stepping up and veterans finding their rhythm, the timing couldn’t be better. If Tennessee keeps stacking wins, don’t be surprised to see them back in the top 25-and making noise come March.