Tennessee heads into the Christmas break with a 9-3 record and some serious momentum after dismantling Gardner-Webb in a 94-52 win on Sunday afternoon in Knoxville. The Vols followed up their signature victory over Louisville earlier in the week with a wire-to-wire performance against the Runnin’ Bulldogs, closing out the pre-holiday slate on a high note inside the Food City Center.
It wasn’t a perfect start-Tennessee came out a little flat in the opening minutes-but once they settled in, it was all Vols. The offense clicked into gear, and the defense tightened up. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Tennessee had shot 53.5% from the field and held Gardner-Webb to just 52 points, showcasing the kind of two-way dominance that head coach Rick Barnes has been pushing for all season.
The scoring was balanced and efficient, with four Vols finishing in double figures. Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Amaree Abram led the way with 15 points apiece, both showing off their ability to create offense and knock down shots in rhythm.
Jaylen Carey added 12 points, continuing to carve out a productive role, while JP Estrella chipped in 10. It was the kind of well-rounded offensive effort that makes this Tennessee team dangerous when they’re clicking.
But the real standout might have been freshman forward DeWayne Brown. Getting his second consecutive start, Brown pulled down 14 rebounds-more than any Volunteer has grabbed in a single game this season.
His presence on the glass gave Tennessee second-chance opportunities and helped limit Gardner-Webb to one-and-done possessions. For a young player still finding his footing at the college level, Brown’s performance was a strong sign of his growing confidence and impact.
Tennessee also showed flashes of the defensive intensity that’s long been a staple of Barnes-coached teams. After a slow start, the Vols locked in and made life difficult for the Bulldogs, forcing tough shots and controlling the tempo. That kind of defensive effort, paired with efficient scoring, is exactly the formula Tennessee needs to lean on as the schedule ramps up in conference play.
With the holidays now here, the Vols will get a chance to rest, regroup, and reset. But make no mistake-this team is starting to find its rhythm.
The win over Louisville proved they can rise to the occasion against quality competition. Sunday’s blowout win over Gardner-Webb showed they can handle business against teams they’re supposed to beat.
That’s the kind of consistency Barnes and his staff want to see heading into the heart of the season.
At 9-3, Tennessee has put together a strong non-conference résumé, and with SEC play looming, they’ll look to build on the momentum they’ve created over the past week. If the Vols can continue to get balanced scoring, dominate the glass, and bring that signature defensive energy, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the country.