In a tightly contested game that lived up to its high expectations, the No. 1-ranked Auburn Tigers narrowly escaped with a 53-51 victory over the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday at Neville Arena. Miles Kelly’s clutch go-ahead 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining sealed the game, securing Auburn’s status as the top team in the nation.
Tennessee (17-3, 4-3 SEC) appeared poised to pull off the upset late in the game. Chaz Lanier put the Volunteers ahead in the closing minutes, and they led by as many as four points before Auburn (19-1, 6-0 SEC) clawed back to reclaim the lead. The Volunteers had a final opportunity to win the game, but Zakai Zeigler’s three-point attempt from the corner hit the iron, allowing the Tigers to run out the clock and preserve their hard-fought victory.
Tennessee’s Final Offensive Possessions
Reflecting on Tennessee’s last two possessions, head coach Rick Barnes shared his thoughts on the team’s execution:
“I think Auburn made a key block on Milicic, but he was aggressive, and that’s what you need in a high-stakes game like this. Both teams competed with intensity, and there were very few easy scoring opportunities. I’m proud of our guys for how hard they fought throughout the game. We had a few moments where we didn’t stick to our defensive details, and that gave Auburn a couple of baskets we would have preferred to avoid. They executed when it mattered most, and we fell short. Still, I don’t fault Igor for being aggressive in that moment.”
Chaz Lanier’s Role in Close Games
Lanier’s performance was another key focus for Barnes. While praising Lanier’s contributions, Barnes emphasized areas for improvement in the high-pressure environments of road games:
“Lanier needs to continue working on his movement, cutting, and finding ways to create separation. If he can’t get that separation, it becomes harder for us to create scoring opportunities for him. Freedom of movement in games has diminished significantly, and defenders are allowed to crowd players more than ever. He’s working on using screens and setting up his defenders to create space, but it’s a learning process. Teams study the film, and if they see a player struggle in certain areas, they’ll exploit it. It’s on us as coaches and on him to adapt and make adjustments.”
Jordan Gainey’s Grit Despite Illness
One of the game’s more remarkable stories was Jordan Gainey, who played through flu-like symptoms. Despite not practicing all week, Gainey gave his all for the team.
“Jordan hadn’t been able to practice since the last game,” Barnes explained. “We had to quarantine him to prevent the illness from spreading. He even ate meals alone on the trip. Despite feeling under the weather, he never complained and played as hard as he could. I’m proud of his toughness and the effort he showed, even when he wasn’t at full strength.”
Preparing for Johni Broome’s Return
While Auburn’s lineup had some uncertainty leading up to the game, Tennessee was prepared for Johni Broome to play.
“There was no doubt in our minds that Broome would play,” Barnes said. “We prepared all week with the expectation that he’d be on the court, and our preparation reflected that.”
Lessons from the Auburn Environment
Barnes took pride in how his team handled the intense atmosphere at Neville Arena. He praised the Volunteers for their composure and resilience in a hostile environment.
“I love this team. Tonight, I learned we can still get so much better,” he said. “We battled a great basketball team that’s extremely well-coached. I didn’t think the crowd impacted us negatively, which is a testament to our veteran players. Jahmai Mashack deserves credit—he’s the only player on this roster who’s played in this building before. Zeigler missed his opportunity here last time due to injury, but he’s a cornerstone for us. His heart, effort, and leadership were evident tonight. We went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the country and had a chance to win in the final seconds. I’m proud of how we competed.”
Offensive Consistency on the Road
The need for consistent production, particularly from Tennessee’s frontline players, remains a challenge for the Volunteers.
“We need more from our frontline players because opponents are going to push us out to the perimeter,” Barnes explained. “Felix Okpara works so hard and does many good things for us, but we need to see more scoring from the frontcourt overall. It’s an area we’ll focus on improving.”
Jahmai Mashack’s Defense and Competitive Spirit
Mashack’s defensive intensity is a double-edged sword, as evidenced by a costly foul on a three-point shooter late in the game. Despite this, Barnes praised his commitment to defense.
“Jahmai is so competitive. When he locks in, he takes it personally and doesn’t want his man to even get a shot off,” Barnes said. “The foul on the three-point attempt wasn’t ideal, but it’s hard to ask him to tone it down when that competitive fire is what makes him such a great defender. I’m just glad he’s on our side.”
Felix Okpara and Controversial Calls
A travel call on Felix Okpara in a pivotal moment raised questions about physicality in the game. Barnes felt the officials may have missed a key detail.
“I thought Felix was held. It’s a physical game, but from what I saw, he had two hands on his shoulders,” Barnes explained. “The officials ruled it as a travel, but I believe the contact influenced the call. We’ll review the film, but it’s one of those plays that can go either way in a game this intense.”
Physicality and Growth Opportunities
The physical nature of the game provided valuable lessons for Tennessee’s younger players. Barnes noted that experiences like this are crucial for development.
“Games like these are hard to describe. It’s a physical battle, and younger players like Cade Phillips and Igor Milicic gained important experience,” Barnes said. “This was a learning moment for them, and I told the team we have the potential to improve significantly. It’s late January, and there’s a lot of basketball left to play. We want to peak at the right time, and I know our players will continue working to get better.”
Optimism Despite the Loss
Compared to earlier losses this season, Barnes expressed a more positive outlook following this defeat.
“I have every reason to be positive,” he said. “Our guys fought hard all night. We weren’t perfect, and there were moments where our inexperience showed. Igor made a costly double-team that wasn’t part of our game plan, and that’s just an example of him trying to make a play. Mistakes like that happen when you’re facing an experienced team like Auburn. These are lessons we’ll learn from.”
Cade Phillips’ Contribution
Phillips made the most of his minutes, earning praise from Barnes for his effort.
“Cade was excellent in the first half,” Barnes said. “He’s tough, battles hard, and gives maximum effort every time he’s on the court. That’s all we can ask for. Our defense is strong, and even when we struggle offensively, I trust our team to compete. Cade has a bright future, and his competitive nature is a big part of why we value him so much.”