After turning the corner since the two big losses to Kentucky, the Vols looked like they were a different team. Tennessee was taking better care of the basketball and defensively making things hard for their opponent. Then, that all went out the window against Missouri on Tuesday night.
The Vols struggled to take care of the basketball, and a few defensive lapses opened the door for Missouri to claw its way back into the game. What once looked comfortable suddenly felt far from secure. Sure, it was the first half, but Tennessee was up by double digits. They were up ten, and the fact that Tennessee has had such a difficult time taking care of a lead is concerning. Credit to Missouri, too; it was a must-win game for them, and they locked in and got it done, but Tennessee was still a fairly large favorite. It was one that Rick Barnes is going to regret not winning.
Tennessee fans have taken notice of how the Vols have been playing, too. Under the program’s official account on X, the replies told the story , frustration, concern, and even a bit of panic poured in after the loss. Here's what the Vols fan said:
Worst team we’ve lost to since Syracuse and the tournament is in 3 weeks!
— WildasaMink (@wildasamink_) February 25, 2026
Jakobi Gillespie is not clutch. Idk why Barnes puts so much trust in him when the game is on the line.
— Daniel (@AllVol5264) February 25, 2026
Can you stop getting double digit leads please?
— Big ORANGE Energy (@BigOrangeEnergy) February 25, 2026
Can’t stand this team, so mediocre. No true leader, even on the coaching staff. It’s time to move on from this regime, we’re not great anyway what’s another down year. We’ll be two and done in the tournament and that’ll be that.
— C5 (@C5ondestiny) February 25, 2026
Should’ve won
— Millisa Gingerich (@MillisaAnn) February 25, 2026
We are allergic to consistently staying top 25.
— Titansville (@TheDestoyerWP) February 25, 2026
Tennessee fans are not happy with the loss to Missouri
I get where Tennessee fans are coming from. The inconsistencies night in and night out are concerning, but at this point, that is just the Vols' identity. Nate Ament and Ja'Kobi Gillespie didn't play their best, and Tennessee needs one of them to step up. As we approach the NCAA Tournament, we have to hope that Tennessee can lock in for six games, which they are more than capable of. Fans take every loss way harder than they should, too.
On paper, Tennessee is the better team, and the metrics back that up. But Missouri was at home with its back against the wall, and that matters. Watching Tennessee let things unravel was frustrating, no doubt, but given the circumstances, it’s not entirely surprising that it happened. Tennessee fans will forget about all of this if they can pick up a huge win on Saturday against Nate Oats and Alabama, but it won't come easily.