Tennessee basketball needed a statement win - and they got one in emphatic fashion.
Snapping a three-game skid, the No. 20 Volunteers handled No.
11 Louisville with authority, cruising to an 83-62 victory at Thompson-Boling Arena. It was Tennessee’s first home game in nearly a month, and they made it count, led by a second-half surge that showcased both veteran leadership and promising young talent.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie Takes Over Late
When the Vols needed a closer, senior point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie stepped up and took the reins. After a quiet first half, Gillespie exploded in the second, dropping 20 of his 23 points after the break. He found his rhythm and never let go, shooting 4-of-7 from the field in the final 20 minutes and knocking down two of his four three-point attempts during that stretch.
But it wasn’t just scoring - Gillespie orchestrated the offense with poise. He dished out a team-high five assists, grabbed three rebounds, and went a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line. His ability to control the tempo and make the right reads down the stretch was a difference-maker, especially against a top-15 opponent.
Nate Ament Delivers a Spark
Freshman forward Nate Ament gave Tennessee exactly what it needed off the bench: energy, shot-making, and confidence. After a slow start - he and Gillespie were both held scoreless for the final 16-plus minutes of the first half - Ament came alive after halftime. He poured in nine of his 13 points in the second half, including two big triples, and gave the Vols a much-needed offensive jolt.
Ament finished 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. His 17 second-half minutes were some of his most impactful of the season. For a young player still finding his role, this was a breakout performance - and one that could earn him more trust in high-leverage moments moving forward.
Together, Ament and Gillespie combined for 36 points on 10-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-11 from deep and 11-of-12 from the line. That’s the kind of efficient production Tennessee has been missing during its recent slide.
Jaylen Carey Sets the Tone Early
Before the second-half fireworks, it was Jaylen Carey who kept Tennessee in control. The sophomore forward was the Vols’ most reliable option in the first half, scoring 10 of his 12 points before the break and giving Tennessee a 34-27 lead heading into the locker room.
Carey finished with a double-double - 12 points, 10 rebounds - and did a little bit of everything. He was active on the glass, pulling down four offensive boards, and chipped in three assists and two steals in just 23 minutes. His energy and physicality helped Tennessee win the battle in the paint and set the foundation for the second-half run.
The only blemish? Free throws.
Carey went just 4-of-10 from the stripe - an area he’ll need to tighten up. But overall, his presence was felt in every phase of the game.
Louisville Without Its Star
Louisville came into this one down a key piece. Freshman phenom Mikel Brown Jr., the team’s second-leading scorer and top playmaker, was ruled out just before tipoff due to a back injury. That’s a major blow - Brown has been averaging 16.6 points and leads the Cardinals with 51 assists on the year.
In his place, sophomore Adrian Wooley stepped into the starting lineup and delivered a solid performance. Wooley scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting and added three rebounds and an assist in 32 minutes. But without Brown’s ability to break down defenses and create for others, Louisville struggled to generate consistent offense, especially when Tennessee tightened up defensively in the second half.
DeWayne Brown II Gets the Start
With junior forward Cade Phillips out for the season following shoulder surgery, head coach Rick Barnes turned to freshman DeWayne Brown II for his first career start. The decision, according to Barnes, came down to consistency in practice - something the staff has been emphasizing all season.
Brown didn’t light up the box score - he didn’t attempt a shot in his 15 minutes - but he held his own. He grabbed five rebounds, dished out an assist, and recorded a block, finishing with a +7 in the plus-minus column. For a first start in a high-profile matchup, it was a solid showing - and a sign that Brown is earning trust through his effort and approach.
Final Thoughts
This was the kind of performance Tennessee needed. After three straight losses, including some tough ones against ranked opponents, the Vols responded with energy, execution, and a balanced attack. Gillespie’s leadership, Ament’s emergence, and Carey’s early production gave them a three-headed punch that Louisville couldn’t counter.
And while the Cardinals were short-handed without Mikel Brown Jr., Tennessee still had to take care of business - and they did, in convincing fashion.
Now sitting at 8-3, the Vols are back on track. If they can bottle this kind of performance - especially the second-half version - they’ll be a tough out come March.