The Vols defeated the Gators by a landslide, exacting revenge for their early season defeat at the hands of Florida.

United States, Knoxville, Tennessee, February 1, 2025; During the first half of the Tennessee Volunteers’ game against the Florida Gators at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, guard Jahmai Mashack (15) converses with his teammates. Required Credit: Images by Randy Sartin

In this narrative:

The eighth To get revenge for the Vols’ season-opening defeat a few weeks prior, Tennessee thrashed No. 5 Florida 64-44 on Saturday. It was the Vols’ sixth consecutive home victory over a top-five team, the longest run in SEC history.

The Vols were without starting forward Igor Millicic Jr. due to illness and starting point guard Zakai Zeigler because of a knee injury. In their absence, though, the Vols came together and produced one of their strongest performances of the year.

Five of Chaz Lanier’s 19 points came from 3-pointers. Zeigler was replaced at point guard by Jordan Gainey, who scored 16 points. One of the nation’s top offenses was kept to 4-28 long-range shooting by the Vols’ incredible defense.

After three minutes of a defensive battle, the score was tied at 2-2. Only three minutes into the match, Felix Okpara received his second foul and was substituted out. With 14 minutes remaining, the Vols had missed their first six 3-point attempts and were behind 13-9.

With eight minutes remaining in the half, Tennessee led 14–13 after Gainey made a midrange and Lanier made the Vols’ first triple of the game. Tennessee missed a few free-throw attempts, which allowed the Gators to regain the lead. The Vols were only 1/5 from the charity stripe in the beginning.

Lanier’s pull-up 3-pointer in transition drove the crowd into a frenzy and gave the Vols a 21-19 lead. At the half, Tennessee was ahead 24–21 after Gainey delivered a lob to Cade Phillips.

The second half began with a layup from Gainey, followed by a hook shot from Okpara to put the team ahead 28-21. Gainey then put Tennessee ahead by nine points with a free throw line jumper. The Vols then had a 10-point lead when he made two free throws and Jahmai Mashack made a layup.

With less than 13 minutes remaining, Gainey made a step-back corner three to put the Vols ahead 43-30. In response to a number of Florida baskets, Lanier made his third 3-pointer of the game to maintain the advantage at 13. With less than eight minutes remaining, two Lanier free throws increased the lead to fifteen.

The day’s high point was a masterfully performed fast break. Following a theft, Mashack saved the ball and tossed it to Phillips, who subsequently gave it to Bishop Boswell, who returned the throw to Phillips for a slam. Lanier’s consecutive triples turned the game into a 21-point contest.

Gainey completed the breathtaking blowout with a lob to Okpara.