Despite a snowstorm sweeping through Knoxville, Tennessee fans weren’t about to let a little weather stop them from packing Thompson-Boling Arena. And the Volunteers rewarded that loyalty with a gritty 77-69 win over Auburn on Saturday night, extending their SEC win streak to three games.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Coming off back-to-back road victories over Alabama and Georgia, the Vols returned home and showed they’re not just surviving SEC play-they’re starting to take control of it.
Freshman guard Nate Ament led the charge, dropping 22 points in a performance that was more about resilience than efficiency. He shot just 25% from the field, but where he made his mark was at the free-throw line.
Ament went 12-of-15 from the stripe, stepping up when Tennessee needed someone to steady the offense. That kind of composure from a freshman?
That’s the kind of thing that bodes well come March.
Off the bench, Jaylen Carey gave the Vols exactly what they needed in the first half-energy and buckets. The forward poured in 13 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting night, injecting life into the offense and helping Tennessee build an early cushion.
And that cushion came in handy. Tennessee led by as many as 16 in the first half and took a 10-point lead into the break.
But Auburn wasn’t going to roll over. The Tigers clawed their way back into it, trimming the lead down to just three with seven minutes left.
That’s when Tennessee showed some real maturity. They didn’t panic, didn’t force things-they just got back to work.
The Vols locked in defensively, executed down the stretch, and never let Auburn take the lead.
That’s the kind of game that builds confidence and character. Tennessee didn’t just win-they held their ground in a physical SEC battle, stayed composed when the momentum shifted, and found ways to close it out. The Vols are starting to look like a team that knows how to finish games, and in this league, that’s everything.
With three straight SEC wins now under their belt, Tennessee is heating up at just the right time. And if this stretch is any indication, this team might just be scratching the surface of what it can become.