In what has already been a loopy faculty basketball season, one other No. 1 ranked crew was almost overwhelmed.
Jordan Gainey wasn’t going to let that occur, as he hit a layup on the buzzer, and Tennessee escaped an upset bid from Illinois with a 66-64 victory.
Gainey got here off the bench for the Vols and had 23 factors and the game-winner. Gainey transferred from USC Upstate after the 2022-23 season and has discovered a house as a sixth man/position participant for Tennessee.
He averages 10.3 factors per recreation and might be an instrumental a part of the remainder of the season for Tennessee.
The one different Tennessee participant in double figures was Chaz Lanier, who completed with 17 factors regardless of a poor taking pictures evening by which he went 5-of-17 from the sphere.
It was an all-around off-shooting evening for either side. Tennessee shot 32.3% from the sphere and 25% from three-point vary. Illinois was worse in each, taking pictures 29.4% from the sphere and 17.4% from three.
Regardless of the poor taking pictures evening, Tennessee nonetheless discovered a strategy to come away with a win.
Alternatively, Illinois has to really feel like they let this one slip away. The Combating Illini scored simply 4 factors over the ultimate 3:40 of recreation time and missed the entrance finish of two free throws that may have given them the lead.
Kasparas Jakucionis was a vibrant spot, scoring 22 factors, amassing three rebounds and allotting two assists.
Tennessee has three remaining video games (Western Carolina, Center Tennessee and Norfolk State) earlier than opening SEC play towards Arkansas in January.
