If you're asking about the latest Tennessee game, you probably have a specific sport in mind because Knoxville is basically the center of the sports universe right now. But if you want the short answer: Tennessee won. Specifically, the No. 24 ranked men’s basketball team pulled off an absolute robbery against Texas A&M this past Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
It wasn't a "roll the balls out and play" kind of win. Honestly, it was a mess for a while. They were down by 11 in the first half and looked like they couldn't buy a bucket. Then things got weird. We're talking double-overtime weird.
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You’ve got to hand it to Rick Barnes. The man now has 848 career wins, and this one might have aged him three years in one night. The Vols walked away with an 87-82 victory, but the score doesn't tell the whole story of how close they came to dropping this one at home.
Texas A&M came out swinging, hitting an 11-0 run early that silenced the crowd. Tennessee’s shooting was, frankly, abysmal in the first half—roughly 29 percent. If you were watching that and thinking about switching the channel to see what's happening in the transfer portal, nobody would've blamed you. But the second half was a different beast.
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Why the Vols Survived
- Nate Ament is a Problem: The freshman forward dropped 23 points. He’s starting to look like the guy everyone hoped he’d be. He scored 10 of those points just in the overtime periods.
- Board Dominance: Tennessee outrebounded the Aggies 60 to 35. You don't lose many games when you have 25 more chances than the other guy.
- The Defense Tightened: In the final four minutes of double OT, Tennessee didn't allow a single made field goal. That’s how you close.
Bishop Boswell and Ja’Kobi Gillespie did enough heavy lifting to keep the backcourt stable, but let’s be real—it was the rebounding that saved their skins. Jaylen Carey almost had a double-double (10 points, 9 boards), and that grit is what Barnes lives for.
Looking Back: What Happened to Football?
I know some of you are still thinking about the gridiron. The 2025 season just wrapped up with a bit of a bitter taste. If you're looking for who won Tennessee game in the bowl season, the answer is unfortunately Illinois. The Vols lost the Music City Bowl 30-28 back on December 30.
It was a weird season. One week they’re beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa (20-37 scoreline, what a day that was), and the next they’re struggling with Vanderbilt. That 24-45 loss to Vandy at the end of November is still a sore spot for anyone wearing orange.
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But hope isn't lost for the 2026 season. We just saw three freshmen—Braylon Staley, David Sanders Jr., and Edwin Spillman—named FWAA Freshman All-Americans. Staley is a freak. 68 catches for 837 yards as a freshman? That's Justin Jefferson-type stuff.
What’s Next for the Vols?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. If you missed the Tuesday game, you better clear your calendar for Saturday, January 17. Kentucky is coming to town.
12:00 PM. High noon.
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That game is going to be a bloodbath. Kentucky is always Kentucky, and Tennessee is trying to prove that this Texas A&M comeback wasn't a fluke. Plus, the recruiting trail is heating up. Word is out that the Oregon Ducks are trying to flip a 2027 commit from the Vols. Josh Heupel is basically playing defense on his own roster right now while trying to scout the portal.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the SEC Standings: Tennessee is currently 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. They need a winning streak to stay in the Top 25 conversation.
- Keep an Eye on Nate Ament: His free-throw shooting (9-of-11 against A&M) is becoming a late-game weapon.
- Watch the Portal: The "third window" of the portal is seeing names like Jack Van Dorselaer move out, but the Vols are heavily pursuing a 5-star corner from Ohio State.
Basically, if you're a Tennessee fan, stay hydrated. Between double-overtime basketball games and the non-stop drama of the football transfer portal, it’s a lot to keep up with.