Tennessee Volunteers Dominate Rutgers Scarlet Knights At Players Era Festival
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas, especially when you put on a show like Ja’Kobi Gillespie did. The Tennessee point guard must have had a poker ace up his sleeve, because he played a winning hand all morning against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights probably wished they’d stayed in bed.
Waking up for an early tip-off in “Sin City” sounds like a recipe for a sluggish start, but Gillespie apparently swapped his morning coffee for jet fuel. He dropped a career-high 32 points, leading the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers to a commanding 85-60 victory over Rutgers in the Players Era Festival opener. It was less of a basketball game and more of a public dismantling at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Gillespie was hotter than a Vegas sidewalk in July, sinking six three-pointers and looking completely unfazed by the early start. By halftime, he had already racked up 23 points, and Tennessee was cruising with a 56-30 lead. Rutgers just had no answer.
Tennessee’s Dynamic Duo Dominates
As TNT analyst Candace Parker put it, “Tennessee has Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament, and Rutgers does not.” That pretty much sums it up. While Gillespie was running the show, five-star freshman Ament decided to join the party.
After a sluggish start to the season from beyond the arc, the 6-foot-10 phenom found his rhythm, draining four three-pointers and finishing with 20 points. Ament’s performance was a huge boost for a Tennessee team that needs consistent secondary scoring to make a deep run. The duo combined for 40 of the team’s 56 first-half points, effectively putting the game on ice before the second half even started.
Key Players Return and Make An Impact
The good news for Tennessee didn’t stop with the scoreboard. The Vols welcomed back two key players from injury, and both made their presence felt. J.P. Estrella, who dodged a serious knee injury just a week ago, returned to score 10 points in 10 efficient minutes. It was a relief for fans and a testament to his quick recovery from what was thankfully just a bone bruise.
Sophomore Guard Bishop Boswell also made his return after missing three games. While he only scored 2 points, his defensive grit and five assists were crucial in setting the tone early on. Having a healthy and deep bench will be absolutely vital for Tennessee as it navigates a tough tournament schedule and the upcoming SEC gauntlet.
What’s Next For Tennessee?
With this win, Tennessee remains undefeated at 6-0 and looks like a team on a mission. But the competition in Vegas is about to get a whole lot tougher. The Vols will face No. 3 Houston next, a matchup that will be a true test of their mettle. After that, another game awaits against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. One thing is for sure: if Gillespie and Ament keep playing like this, Tennessee basketball is going to be a must-watch show.
