If you're asking whats the score of the tennessee game, you probably missed one of the most stressful nights in recent Knoxville memory. Or maybe you're just checking in to see if Rick Barnes' hair has finally turned fully white after that marathon.
The short answer? Tennessee won. Barely.
In a game that felt like it was never actually going to end, the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers took down Texas A&M with a final score of 87-82. But that number doesn't even begin to tell the story of how they got there. It took two overtime periods, a massive rebounding advantage, and a freshman finding his "ice in the veins" moment to pull it off.
Breaking down the Tennessee vs. Texas A&M score
Honestly, for most of the first half, the score looked pretty ugly for the Vols. They were down by 11 points at one point. The shooting was, to put it mildly, cold. Like, "frozen tundra" cold. They went into the locker room at halftime trailing 34-30, shooting a miserable 29 percent from the floor.
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You'd think a team shooting like that would be out of it.
But Tennessee did what they always do under Barnes: they made it a physical nightmare for the other guys. They ended up winning the rebounding battle 60-35. That's not just a lead; that's a statement. When you can't throw a rock into the ocean, you'd better be able to grab the miss.
Key scorers and stats from the win
- Nate Ament: The freshman was the story. He finished with 23 points, but the wild part is that 10 of those came during the two overtime periods.
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie: He hit a massive three-pointer late to keep the momentum from swinging back to the Aggies.
- The Bench: They didn't provide a ton of scoring, but the defensive rotations in the second half were what actually stopped the bleeding.
Why this score matters for the Vols right now
People were starting to get a little nervous about this team. After a rough 91-67 loss to Florida just a few days ago, the vibe in Knoxville was... tense. This win over Texas A&M moves Tennessee to 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the SEC.
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It’s about survival.
In the SEC, you don't always need "pretty" wins. You just need to not have a "0" in the win column at the end of the night. Texas A&M came in 13-4 and had all the momentum early on. By clawing back and forcing those extra periods, Tennessee proved they aren't going to just fold when the shots aren't falling.
The Lady Vols are on a tear too
While everyone is talking about the men's double-OT heart-stopper, the Lady Vols have been quietly (or not so quietly) destroying everyone in their path. They recently blew out Arkansas 85-50. Their schedule has been grueling, but they seem to be finding a rhythm that the men’s team is still searching for.
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What’s next on the Tennessee schedule?
If you think the stress is over, you haven't looked at the calendar.
The Vols have a massive showdown coming up against the Kentucky Wildcats. That game is set for Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tip-off is at noon. If you’re planning on watching, maybe buy some blood pressure medication now. Kentucky is coming off a one-point win against LSU, and Otega Oweh is playing out of his mind right now.
After Kentucky, the Vols have to head to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama on January 24th. It's a brutal stretch.
How to keep track of the live score
For the next game, don't just rely on a late-night search. Most fans are using the ESPN app or following @Vol_Hoops on X (formerly Twitter) for play-by-play updates. If you're local, the Vol Network on the radio is still the gold standard for hearing the game called with the right amount of "homer" energy.
Actionable Next Steps for Vols Fans:
- Check the TV listings: The Kentucky game on Saturday is likely to be an ESPN or CBS national broadcast—double-check your local listings so you don't miss tip-off at 12:00 PM.
- Monitor the injury report: Keep an eye on the status of the rotation players; after a double-OT game, fatigue and minor "tweaks" are going to be a factor for the Saturday turnaround.
- Secure tickets early: If you're heading to Knoxville, the Food City Center is going to be packed for the rivalry game; secondary markets like StubHub or Ticketmaster are already seeing prices spike for the Kentucky matchup.