BREAKING NEWS:Tennessee beats Gardner-Webb in opener, 80-64…….

The Tennessee Volunteers opened their 2024-25 basketball season with a hard-fought 80-64 victory over the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs at Thompson-Boling Arena. This win showcased Tennessee’s depth, resilience, and the undeniable presence of its star players, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season under head coach Rick Barnes. In front of a packed home crowd, the Volunteers overcame a determined Gardner-Webb team that pushed them for much of the game before Tennessee pulled away in the second half.

First-Half Struggles

From the tip-off, Gardner-Webb made it clear they weren’t going to be an easy first opponent. The Runnin’ Bulldogs, known for their tenacity and defensive grit, came out with intensity, surprising the Vols with aggressive perimeter defense and fast-paced ball movement. They managed to keep the game close for most of the first half, even taking a brief lead midway through the period.

Gardner-Webb’s guard play was particularly impressive, with senior point guard Kareem Reid orchestrating their offense. He finished the game with 15 points and 7 assists, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance. The first half saw Tennessee struggle to establish their usual offensive rhythm, shooting just 42% from the field. Turnovers were also a concern, with the Vols committing eight in the first 20 minutes alone. These miscues allowed Gardner-Webb to hang around and take advantage of second-chance opportunities.

But while Tennessee’s offense sputtered, their defense kept them in the game. Sophomore forward Tobe Awaka was a defensive anchor in the paint, swatting away shots and grabbing crucial rebounds to prevent Gardner-Webb from gaining momentum. By halftime, Tennessee held a narrow 34-32 lead, leaving many Vols fans in the stands on edge.

Rick Barnes Adjusts at Halftime

Head coach Rick Barnes, known for his tactical adjustments and emphasis on defensive intensity, made key changes at halftime that turned the game around. “We just weren’t playing with the energy and focus we needed in the first half. We were sloppy with the ball and let them get too comfortable,” Barnes said in his post-game remarks. “In the second half, we needed to lock in, value the basketball, and play our style of basketball.”

Barnes stressed ball movement and spacing during the break, and it paid off immediately. Tennessee came out with more urgency, feeding the ball inside to capitalize on their size advantage. Senior forward Josiah-Jordan James, one of the team’s veteran leaders, led the charge, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. James’ ability to hit timely shots and provide defensive stops in key moments ignited the Vols’ second-half surge.

Second-Half Domination

The second half saw a much more composed and efficient Tennessee team take control. Sophomore guard Zakai Zeigler, who had struggled with foul trouble in the first half, found his groove and played a pivotal role in the Vols’ backcourt. Zeigler finished with 14 points and 6 assists, orchestrating Tennessee’s offense with poise. His playmaking allowed Tennessee to stretch Gardner-Webb’s defense, creating open looks for teammates and easier scoring opportunities inside.

One of the game’s standout performers was freshman guard Cameron Carr, who made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut. Carr, a highly touted recruit, showed why he is one of the most exciting prospects in the SEC. He scored 16 points off the bench, including several highlight-reel plays that brought the Knoxville crowd to its feet. His athleticism and ability to score from all three levels gave Tennessee a significant boost when they needed it most.

Gardner-Webb tried to respond, but Tennessee’s defense tightened up in the second half. Awaka continued to be a force in the paint, recording 3 blocks and altering several other shots. He was also a beast on the boards, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with his 8 points. As Tennessee’s defense clamped down, the Bulldogs struggled to find the same offensive rhythm they enjoyed in the first half.

Midway through the second half, the Vols went on a 12-2 run, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from James and Santiago Vescovi, giving them a double-digit lead they never relinquished. Vescovi, a senior guard known for his sharpshooting, finished with 13 points and was instrumental in helping Tennessee stretch their lead beyond Gardner-Webb’s reach. His leadership on the floor, both in terms of scoring and distributing the ball, provided the Volunteers with a calming presence during pivotal stretches of the game.

Tennessee’s Depth on Full Display

One of the most encouraging signs for Tennessee fans was the depth the team showcased in this opener. Rick Barnes utilized a deep rotation, with nine players seeing significant minutes, and seven of them contributing to the scoring column. The Vols’ depth will be a crucial factor as they navigate a grueling SEC schedule and aim to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Freshman forward Cade Phillips also had a solid debut, contributing 8 points and 5 rebounds in just 15 minutes of action. His high motor and physicality were evident, and he figures to be a key piece in Tennessee’s frontcourt rotation moving forward. Junior forward Olivier Nkamhoua, who returned for this season after testing the NBA waters, added 10 points and 6 rebounds, playing a crucial role in keeping Tennessee’s interior defense strong.

Barnes was pleased with his team’s depth and the contribution from his bench players. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can step up on any given night,” Barnes said. “That’s what we’re going to need if we want to be successful this year. It’s not going to be about one or two guys. It’s going to take all of us.”

Gardner-Webb’s Resilience

Despite the loss, Gardner-Webb deserves credit for the way they played. They were aggressive, scrappy, and never backed down from the challenge of facing an SEC powerhouse on the road. In addition to Reid’s standout performance, forward Anthony Selden contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds, while guard DQ Nicholas chipped in with 11 points.

Head coach Tim Craft praised his team’s effort, especially in the first half. “We knew coming in that Tennessee was going to be a tough opponent. They’re one of the best teams in the country, but I’m proud of the way our guys competed. We just couldn’t sustain it for 40 minutes against a team of that caliber,” Craft said. “There are a lot of positives we can take away from this game, and we’ll build on that as we move forward.”

Looking Ahead for Tennessee

With this victory, Tennessee starts its season 1-0 and now turns its attention to a challenging non-conference schedule that will test the team’s mettle before SEC play begins. Up next, the Volunteers will face Florida Gulf Coast University, a team that has been known to pull off upsets in the past. Tennessee will need to build on the positives from this game while cleaning up the turnovers and early-game struggles that plagued them in the first half.

The Vols are also eagerly anticipating the return of senior center Jonas Aidoo, who sat out this game due to an ankle injury. His presence in the paint will only strengthen an already formidable frontcourt.

As for Gardner-Webb, they will look to bounce back in their next game against Campbell University. The Bulldogs’ performance in this opener, despite the loss, shows they have the potential to make noise in the Big South Conference this season.

Final Thoughts

Tennessee’s 80-64 win over Gardner-Webb may not have been the dominating blowout some fans expected, but it was a solid start to what could be a very special season. The team showed resilience, depth, and flashes of brilliance that bode well for the future. If the Vols can continue to grow and improve, they have all the tools to be one of the top teams in the nation by the time March Madness rolls around.

Rick Barnes, while happy with the win, knows there is still work to be done. “It’s a good start, but we’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got to keep getting better every day. The potential is there, but potential doesn’t mean anything if we don’t put in the work.”

With the combination of veteran leadership, talented freshmen, and a deep bench, the Tennessee Volunteers are a team to watch this season. Fans can expect plenty of exciting basketball ahead as the Vols set their sights on competing for an SEC title and making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.