Tennessee

How to watch Tennessee basketball at No. 19 Vanderbilt on Saturday

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

How to watch Tennessee basketball at No. 19 Vanderbilt on Saturday

It’s game day for Tennessee basketball and it’s a big one. The Vols are on the road Saturday afternoon, facing Vanderbilt in a 2 p.m. Eastern Time start on ESPN at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville.

Tennessee (19-7, 9-4 SEC) has won seven of its eight games after the 89-66 win over Oklahoma Wednesday night at Food City Center.

Vanderbilt (21-5, 8-5) is 5-5 over its last 10 games after its starting the season with 16 straight wins.

How To Watch: Tennessee at No. 19 Vanderbilt

When: Saturday, 2 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Memorial Gymnasium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: WatchESPN.com, ESPN App
Radio: The Vol Network
Radio Stream: SiriusXM, SXM App
KenPom.com Prediction: Vanderbilt 77, Tennessee 73

Tennessee listed J.P. Estrella as questionable on the initial SEC Availability Report Friday night. Head coach Rick Barnes said before practice Friday morning at Pratt Pavilion that the redshirt sophomore power forward is day to day as he continues to deal with soreness in his left foot.

Estrella, who was a partial participant in Friday’s practice, is averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 17.3 minutes per game this season, making seven starts in his 23 appearances. He had 16 points and had nine rebounds in 28 minutes during Tennessee’s 73-63 win over LSU Saturday, including 18 minutes in the second half.

Barnes said after Estrella missed the 89-66 win over Oklahoma on Wednesday that the decisions moving forward would “be based on what (Estrella) feels” after dealing with a foot injury in the past.

“I don’t think there’s any question it is a concern for him,” Barnes said. “Feet problems are hard to get right. … It’s just some soreness set in and we just have to get it quieting down.”

The Series History

Tennessee is 132-77 all time against Vanderbilt, in a series that dates back to February 1922. The Vols have a 45-55 away record against the Commodores and are 79-21 at home.

Last season Tennessee lost 76-75 at Vanderbilt and won 81-76 in Knoxville. The Vols host Vandy on March 7 this year in the regular-season finale at Food City Center.

Rick Barnes is 17-5 in his career against Vanderbilt, with a 16-5 record against the Commodores as Tennessee’s head coach. The Vols have won 14 of the last 16 in the series, including 11 straight between January 2018 and January 2023.

A closer look at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt started the season a perfect 16-0, including a 3-0 start in SEC play after a win over LSU on January 10, then lost three straight to Texas, Florida and Arkansas.

The Commodores bounced back with five wins over their next six games, with the loss coming at home against Oklahoma, 92-91 on February 7. Vandy lost 81-80 at Missouri on Wednesday.

Vandy is No. 12 overall in the KenPom ratings, ranked No. 14 in adjusted offensive efficiency (125.3) and No. 19 in adjusted defensive efficiency (97.5).

Tyler Tanner leads Vanderbilt in points (18.6), assists (5.3) and steals (2.5) while Devin McGlockton (6.9) leads the team in rebounding.

Source link

Tennessee

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Published

12 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.

Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.

He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.

Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.

“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”

A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.

Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok

On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.

In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

Source link

Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

Source link

Tennessee

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

Source link