Well, it wouldn’t be a Tennessee basketball game without an early surge from Rick Barnes’ squad, followed by a blown lead as the offense stalls out and defensive lapses. Alabama only led for 24 seconds, but when the buzzer sounded, Alabama was up 71-69.
In typical Tennessee fashion, they coasted to a hot start. They were grabbing rebounds but missing the second-chance opportunities. This has happened to Tennessee all season; they simply have a tough time finishing at the hoop, and it hinders them. The Vols started the game 2-14 from the field; however, they clamped down on defense, forcing Alabama to shoot 1-7. At half, Tennessee was up 40-28, but a bleak 5-14 shooting on layups hampered what could've been a much larger lead.
Alabama has multiple comebacks of 10 or more points, so you know the Tide was never going to let up. The Vols were up 11 with less than 10 minutes in the gaem and Alabama turned on the burners and tied the game at 67 with 2:32 left. Labaron Philion hit a go-ahead bucket with 20 seconds left to go up 71-69. Gillespie, on the ensuing possession, drove down the lane and missed a layup, and Alabama took the win.
It is just absolutely brutal. This keeps happening. Tennessee simply cannot be trusted with the lead at any point in the game. Fans are so sick of this team not rising to the occasion because they have the talent, but they cannot keep it together for all 40 minutes.
No Ament and no win for Tennessee
Perhaps the biggest storyline tonight was Nate Ament's injury late in the first half. While diving for a loose ball, Ament was rolled up on by an Alabama player and immediately grimaced in pain after his leg bent awkwardly. The good news is he walked away and even returned at the beginning of the second half, but after scoring, he immediately left the game. While I’m no medical expert, it looks like this could be a day-to-day issue rather than a season-ending injury. Rick Barnes should provide an update, and it's something Vols fans should keep an eye on.
Whew buddy, Tennessee’s Nate Ament was rolled up on, and plenty of folks were holding their breath.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) February 28, 2026
He got up and went into the hallway. pic.twitter.com/F7NAAAnUnH
Tennessee now has two games left before the postseason begins. The Vols will travel to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks on Tuesday and will close the year at the Food City Center against Vanderbilt in a rematch of last Saturday's thriller.