Tennessee basketball gets another shot at Florida weeks after the Gators handed the Vols their first loss of the 2024-25 season.
The No. 8 Vols (17-4, 4-4 SEC) play the No. 6 Gators (18-2, 5-2) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) at Food City Center, a rematch from the Jan. 7 disaster in Gainesville when the Vols lost 73-43.
Here is what to know about the matchup:
Darlinstone Dubar played his biggest role yet for Tennessee against Kentucky. The senior guard played 17 minutes and was aggressive on offense and defense in the Vols’ loss on Tuesday.
Dubar took a season-high seven 3-pointers, while he had two steals and a block and created multiple possessions for the Vols with hustle plays in the final minutes.
“He was just more aggressive and more assertive, which we need him to,” guard Jahmai Mashack said. ” I think that is going to be big in the coming games in the SEC and the teams that we are going to be able to go against. We are going to need a guy like D-Stone, especially when he comes in to change the games for us. I think he is doing it and I think he has worked hard enough. That is what we expect him to do is just be more aggressive.”
The Hofstra transfer is averaging 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game. He also played 17 minutes at Texas on Jan. 11, where he attempted five 3-pointers and had six rebounds.
Tennessee faced Auburn and Kentucky in its past two games. The Tigers and Wildcats rank No. 1 and No. 3 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Enter Florida, which ranks No. 2 as the Vols have faced the three best offenses in the country in three straight games.
“Our game plans are almost (always) we don’t ever want to let people get out and get easy baskets,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “So that’s transition, defense, rebounding, taking care of the ball. If you do that and, hopefully, play defense how we’re capable of, it gives us a chance at the end.”
Tennessee was 14-0 when it went to Florida in the first week of SEC play. The Vols were thumped by 30 by the Gators.
It was UT’s lowest-scoring game under Barnes. It also was the worst shooting game in Barnes’ 10 seasons as the Vols shot 21.4%.
Tennessee was outrebounded 55-38 and Florida had a 40-14 margin in points in the paint.
Tennessee is dealing with a handful of injuries.
Tennessee vs. Florida airs on ESPN at noon ET Tuesday. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Florida 71, Tennessee 67: Tennessee has been too iffy in the past two weeks to know what to expect each game. Florida has been more consistent.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
