The Tennessee Volunteers made a powerful statement in their SEC home opener, dispatching the Texas Longhorns 85-71 at Thompson-Boling Arena, Food City Center, on January 6, 2026. With both teams eager to avoid a 0-2 start in conference play, the stakes were high—and the Vols delivered behind a career night from senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
Tip-off was set for 9 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on ESPN2, and the atmosphere in Knoxville was electric. Tennessee, favored by 10.5 points on the spread, entered the contest with a 10-4 overall record (0-1 SEC), while Texas came in at 9-5 (0-1 SEC) after a tough overtime loss to Mississippi State. The game marked a significant subplot: Tennessee coach Rick Barnes facing his former Texas program, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
From the outset, both teams looked determined to set the tone early. Texas, one of the oldest squads in the country, is known for its discipline and low turnover rate. The Longhorns’ offense hinges on the production of Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis, both averaging 16 points per game. Swain, fresh off a 34-point career outing, was seen as a potential difference-maker, while Vokietaitis, the 7-foot sophomore, is lauded for his efficiency around the rim and knack for drawing fouls. Sixth-year senior Tramon Mark, averaging 17.5 points over his last four games, was also pegged as a key X-factor for Texas.
The Volunteers, meanwhile, were coming off an 86-75 loss to Arkansas, but their top-15 defense—according to KenPom—remained a formidable weapon. Senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee’s leading scorer, was under pressure to bounce back after a rough shooting stretch. As fate would have it, Gillespie responded in spectacular fashion, putting on a show for the home crowd.
After a back-and-forth start, Tennessee began to pull away in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Gillespie ignited the offense with a steal that led to an and-one layup, then drilled a three-pointer before dishing out assists to DeWayne Brown II and J.P. Estrella for easy baskets. Gillespie’s hot hand continued, as he closed the half with two more deep threes—one from the second "S" in the "Tennessee" half-court logo, much to the delight of the fans.
By halftime, Tennessee had seized a 48-33 lead, thanks in part to a last-second tip-in by freshman guard Amari Evans. Gillespie already had 22 points at the break, including two consecutive three-pointers that helped solidify a double-digit advantage. The Vols’ physical defense was on full display, limiting Texas’s top scorers, Swain and Vokietaitis, to just nine combined points on 3-of-8 shooting in the first half. Vokietaitis, usually a dominant presence, was held to four points and one rebound in just 10 minutes, hampered by foul trouble and relentless pressure from Tennessee’s big men.
Texas tried to claw its way back into the game, taking advantage of a four-minute Tennessee scoring drought in the second half to trim the lead to 10. But Gillespie wouldn’t let the momentum slip. He orchestrated an alley-oop to Okpara and calmly sank a pair of free throws to halt the Longhorns’ run. Tennessee’s defense continued to shine, forcing a total of 16 turnovers that led to 27 points—an area where the Vols’ athleticism and anticipation paid huge dividends.
Throughout the contest, Tennessee dominated the interior, racking up a whopping 44 points in the paint. The Volunteers’ collaborative offense was evident, as they averaged 19.4 assists per game entering the matchup—nearly six more than Texas. That ball movement translated into high-percentage looks and allowed the Vols to maintain control even as Texas pushed the pace to generate extra possessions.
Gillespie finished with a career-high 34 points on a blistering 12-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. He added five assists, four rebounds, and three steals in a performance that will be remembered for years in Knoxville. "When your best player plays the best, you win the game; when he doesn't, your team loses," a pregame analyst had noted—and Gillespie certainly rose to the occasion.
Supporting Gillespie were Estrella, who chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, and Brown and Jaylen Carey, each scoring 10. Amari Evans, whose role was expected to expand after a perfect 7-for-7 shooting night against Arkansas, made his presence felt with timely plays, including the pivotal first-half tip-in. Tennessee’s frontcourt, led by Nate Ament, was tasked with neutralizing Texas’s size and physicality, and they delivered by holding the Longhorns’ big men in check.
The game wasn’t without its physical moments. In the second half, Evans’ arm caught Texas’ Chendall Weaver on a fastbreak, resulting in a hard fall and an eventual flagrant foul after review. The play underscored the intensity and stakes of the early-season SEC clash.
For Texas, it was a night of frustration. Swain and Vokietaitis were held well below their season averages, and the Longhorns’ offense struggled to find rhythm against Tennessee’s suffocating defense. Tramon Mark, who had been averaging over 17 points per game in his last four, couldn’t find enough opportunities to spark a comeback. The Longhorns, who typically shoot 32.8% from deep, were stifled by Tennessee’s elite three-point defense, which entered the game allowing just 28% from beyond the arc.
Despite the loss, Texas remains a talented and experienced squad, with plenty of time to regroup as the SEC season unfolds. Their disciplined approach and veteran leadership will continue to make them a tough matchup for anyone in the conference, especially as Swain and Vokietaitis look to bounce back from rare off nights.
For Tennessee, the victory was a much-needed course correction after a shaky 3-4 stretch in their previous seven games. The win pushed the Volunteers to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in SEC play, reestablishing their credentials as a conference contender. With a balanced attack, stifling defense, and a star in Gillespie firing on all cylinders, the Vols sent a clear message to the rest of the league.
As the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that Tennessee had not only protected its home court but also reignited its season. The Volunteers now look ahead to a challenging SEC schedule, buoyed by a signature win and a superstar’s unforgettable performance. Texas, meanwhile, will regroup and reload, knowing that the journey through the SEC is just beginning.
