Tennessee basketball came home - and came alive.
After nearly a month away from the Food City Center, the Vols returned with purpose and left with a statement, dismantling No. 11 Louisville in an 83-62 win that snapped a three-game losing streak.
It wasn’t just a win - it was a reassertion of identity. Physical.
Energized. Relentless.
And maybe most importantly, confident.
The spark? Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
Gillespie poured in a game-high 23 points, but it was the way he delivered them that turned heads. After a quiet first half where he managed just one early bucket, the sophomore exploded for 20 points in the second half, flipping the switch and taking over the game when it mattered most. He attacked with purpose, found rhythm off the dribble, and looked every bit the go-to scorer Tennessee needed to right the ship.
This wasn’t just about one hot hand, though. Tennessee’s defensive intensity was the real tone-setter - especially after halftime.
The Vols brought a level of physicality that Louisville struggled to match, forcing the Cardinals out of rhythm and off their spots. Yes, Louisville was without one of its top players due to a late injury announcement, but Tennessee didn’t just take advantage - they imposed their will.
The second half was where it all came together. The Vols tightened the screws defensively, pushed the pace, and fed off the energy of a home crowd that had waited weeks to see this version of their team. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why Tennessee was so highly regarded coming into the season - and why they can still be a force as the calendar flips to conference play.
After a tough stretch on the road, this was more than just a bounce-back. It was a reset. And with Gillespie leading the charge, Tennessee suddenly looks like a team ready to make noise again.