In what has already been a loopy school basketball season, one other No. 1 ranked staff was almost crushed.
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/function participant for Tennessee.
He averages 10.3 factors per sport and will likely 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 capturing night time during which he went 5-of-17 from the sector.
It was an all-around off-shooting night time for either side. Tennessee shot 32.3% from the sector and 25% from three-point vary. Illinois was worse in each, capturing 29.4% from the sector and 17.4% from three.
Regardless of the poor capturing night time, Tennessee nonetheless discovered a option to come away with a win.
However, 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 sport time and missed the entrance finish of two free throws that might have given them the lead.
Kasparas Jakucionis was a brilliant spot, scoring 22 factors, gathering three rebounds and shelling out two assists.
Tennessee has three remaining video games (Western Carolina, Center Tennessee and Norfolk State) earlier than opening SEC play towards Arkansas in January.
