As the Tennessee Volunteers toppled the Ole Miss Rebels last night, true freshman Nate Ament had the game of a lifetime, and head coach Rick Barnes only had kind things to say about his young starter afterward.
"I've said it all year, I don't care what anybody else has to say, I wouldn't trade him for anybody," Barnes said about Ament.
The freshman forward scored 28 points against the Rebels, also bringing down six rebounds and dishing out four assists while committing zero fouls. While 28 points wasn't a career high, his second-half performance was certainly one for the books.
Nate Ament carried Tennessee to win over Ole Miss
Ament scored 26 of his 28 points in the second half, quite literally willing the Volunteers to their 84-66 win over the Rebels.
At halftime, the two SEC teams were one point apart, with Tennessee holding a minimal 26-25 lead over Ole Miss. In the second half, the Vols scored 58 points, including Ament's incredible 26-point performance in the final 20 minutes.
Nate Ament's second half vs. Ole Miss:
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 4, 2026
26 PTS / 8-10 FG / 2-2 3FG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0KMw19XBfp
The freshman forward has been inconsistent this season, scoring as few as eight points to scoring as many as 29. Just a game ago, when the Vols beat Auburn, he shot an abysmal 25 percent on field goals. Against the Rebels, he shot 60 percent from the field and a resounding 50 percent from beyond the arc.
Simply put, Ament played out of his mind, especially in the second half, and Barnes had every reason possible to back his young rising star.
Also read: Rick Barnes quote on Tennessee's awful passing rightfully has everyone talking
Up next, Tennessee and Ament are set to tip off against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET, and the SEC matchup will be broadcast on ESPN.
On Saturday night, it shouldn't surprise anyone if Ament makes his 23rd consecutive start (yes, that would be every game the Vols have played so far this season).