Michael Allen 
Junior Forward Cade Phillips throws down an alley-oop from teammate J.P. Estrella in Tennessee's 95-56 win in the Food City Center on Saturday
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The 2025–26 Tennessee Vols are off to a strong start with early wins over Mercer and Northern Kentucky as freshman Nate Ament and key transfers lead the way.
The 2025–2026 Tennessee Volunteers tipped off the regular season with a fresh look and plenty of intrigue. Gone are some of the program’s most experienced leaders—Jordan Gainey, one of college basketball’s top sixth men last season, and elite defenders Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack, who anchored the Vols’ defense for years. With that experience now in the rearview, the question looms large: can Tennessee’s new wave of talent carry the torch and push this team over the hump?
While excitement surrounds this roster, there’s also uncertainty about how quickly the new pieces will gel. Fortunately for head coach Rick Barnes, a few familiar faces are back to lead the charge. Redshirt sophomore forward J.P. Estrella returns from injury looking to make a major impact alongside junior forward Cade Phillips, senior forward Felix Okpara, and sophomore guard Bishop Boswell—a group that will serve as the foundation for this season’s squad.
Barnes didn’t shy away from the transfer portal, adding valuable experience and scoring punch. Senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, one of the nation’s best shooters, headlines the newcomers along with fellow senior Amaree Abram, a proven perimeter threat, and Jaylen Carey, a physical post presence from Vanderbilt.
The Vols also reloaded through recruiting, landing the highest-rated prospect in program history—five-star forward Nate Ament. He’s joined by Troy Henderson, Amari Evans, Clarence Massamba, DeWayne Brown, and Ethan Burg, a freshman class full of potential but still learning the demands of SEC basketball.
In their season opener, Tennessee showed flashes of that potential with a 76–61 win over Mercer. Defense, a Barnes trademark, was once again a strength as the Vols held Mercer to just 30% shooting and dominated the boards 54–32. Turnovers (19 to Mercer’s 5) were the major blemish in an otherwise encouraging debut. Ament led the way with 18 points and 9 rebounds in his college debut, while Estrella added 12 points in his first game back. Carey nearly posted a double-double with 8 points and 10 rebounds in just 16 minutes.
Game two was a clear step forward. Tennessee dismantled Northern Kentucky 95–56, showcasing much better chemistry and offensive execution. The Vols again leaned on suffocating defense, holding NKU to 36% shooting while forcing 15 turnovers. Ament once again led the way with 23 points and 8 rebounds, followed by Gillespie’s 20 points on 40% three-point shooting. Estrella notched his first career double-double with 17 points and 11 boards, while Okpara also grabbed 11 rebounds.
With noticeable improvement from Game 1 to Game 2, the Vols appear to be settling in quickly. Tennessee will look to continue building momentum when they host North Florida at the Food City Center on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.
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