TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS NEWS

Ja'Kobi Gillespie - Excels as scorer and distributor Gillespie notched 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Monday's 91-66 win over Rice.

Impact Gillespie continues to be one of the most impactful performers for the Vols despite sharing the stage with five-star freshman Nate Ament. Through four games, he's averaging a career-best 6.3 apg and has attempted double-digit shots in each. After a Thursday matchup against Tennessee State, however, the level of competition will rise, as Tennessee begins a stretch against power-conference opponents that starts with Rutgers, Houston and Syracuse.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Okpara - Scores 20 in blowout win Okpara finished with 20 points (8-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 27 minutes during Monday's 91-66 victory over Rice.

Impact Okpara's offense had been nonexistent in the first three games as he averaged 4.3 points, but he took advantage of opportunities against the Owls. The 6-11 senior did not block a shot for the first time this season. If J.P. Estrella (leg) misses time, Okpara might see his field goal attempts increase.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Ethan Burg - Scores 11 off bench Burg amassed 11 points (3-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes during Monday's 91-66 win over Rice.

Impact Burg started the previous game against North Florida, but returned to a bench role for third time in four Volunteer games. The 6-3 sophomore played a season high in minutes in the blowout win over the Owls. He could be a spot starter in SEC-only leagues.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured

Felix Okpara had 20 points and eight rebounds, Nate Ament added 19 points and 10 boards, and No. 20 Tennessee cruised to a 91-66 victory over Rice despite an injury to forward J

NOVEMBER 18 • Associated Press

J.P. Estrella - Helped off court Monday Estrella was helped off the floor due to an apparent leg injury, Wes Rucker of WBIR Channel 10 reports.

Impact Estrella was seen on the floor holding his leg, but the most worrying stat was that he couldn't put any weight on it when taken off the court. Estrella missed most of the 2024-25 season due to injury, and now he'll have to wait for tests to determine the severity of this new problem.

NOVEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Men's CBK AP Top 25: Purdue Reclaims No. 1 from Houston, New Top-10 Teams

Purdue has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll, while multiple teams make it into the top 10.

NOVEMBER 17 • FOX SPORTS

Bishop Boswell - Out once again Boswell (foot) is out for Monday's game against Rice, Wes Rucker of WBIR Tennessee reports.

Impact Boswell will miss a second straight game due to a minor foot injury. The sophomore guard will aim to return to the starting five against Tennessee State on Thursday.

NOVEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Hendricks' 22 lead Utah Valley over Westminster (UT) 91-60

Led by Tyler Hendricks' 22 points, the Utah Valley Wolverines defeated the Westminster (UT) Griffins 91-60 on Wednesday

NOVEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Estrella's 23 points, 10 boards leads No. 20 Tennessee over North Florida 99-66

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NOVEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Nate Ament - Scores 19, grabs nine boards Ament (ankle) produced 19 points (6-16 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-9 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 99-66 victory over North Flo...

Impact Ament had been limited in practice earlier in the week, but looked good in the blowout win over the Ospreys. The 6-10 freshman has consecutive games of five assists and has not been held below 18 points. As long as the ankle holds up, Ament can be counted on for production.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

J.P. Estrella - Goes for 23 points, 10 boards Estrella amassed 23 points (11-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, one assist and one block across 20 minutes during Wednesday's 99-66 victory over North Florida.

Impact Estrella has been limited to 20 minutes in all three Gamecock win in the early going. He has been able to produce in limited minutes with averages of 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds. He is still making his way back from missing most of the 2024-25 season with a foot injury, but the early signs are encouraging for the 6-11 sophomore.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Bishop Boswell - Sidelined vs. North Florida Boswell (foot) won't play against North Florida on Wednesday night, per Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Impact Boswell, who had his foot stepped on in the win over Northern Kentucky, won't be available Wednesday night as he works through his foot ailment that's been described as minor. His next chance to play will come on Monday, Nov. 17 against Rice.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Nate Ament - Logs limited practice Tuesday Ament, who's dealing with a minor left ankle injury, was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice as a precaution, Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.

Impact The star freshman, along with starting guard Bishop Boswell (foot), was limited in Monday's practice as a precaution. Ament can be considered probable for Wednesday's game against North Florida. However, with Tennessee expected to win easily, Tennessee could play it safe with Ament if he's not at full health.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Bishop Boswell - Dealing with minor foot injury Boswell (foot) was a partial participant in Tennessee's practice Wednesday as a precautionary measure, per Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Impact Boswell's injury is reportedly minor, and he could've been a full participant in practice if the Volunteers let him. The guard started both of Tennessee's first two games this season, but is now something of a question mark for Wednesday against North Florida.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Okpara - Pulls down 11 boards Okpara ended with four points (2-5 FG), 11 rebounds, one block and one steal over 20 minutes during Saturday's 95-56 win over Northern Kentucky.

Impact Okpara was a non-factor in the opener against Mercer due to foul trouble, but he bounced back with a strong performance on the glass in Saturday's lopsided victory. His offensive ceiling will likely remain limited, but he should do enough defensively to remain on the fantasy radar as Tennessee's starting center.

NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Nate Ament scores 23 to lead No. 18 Tennessee over Northern Kentucky, 95-56

Nate Ament scored 23 points to lead No. 18 Tennessee to a 95-56 victory over Northern Kentucky on Saturday

NOVEMBER 8 • Associated Press

Ja'Kobi Gillespie - 20-point performance in blowout win Gillespie closed Saturday's 95-56 win over Northern Kentucky with 20 points (8-14 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one steal in 27 minutes.

Impact Gillespie rebounded from a sub-par eight points in the Volunteers' opener against Mercer with an impressive showing over Norfolk State. The senior guard finished the blowout second in points for Tennessee, and he was also on the court more than any of his teammates. He could be primed for another high-volume outing against another smaller market squad against North Florida this upcoming Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nate Ament - Goes for 23 points, eight boards Ament finished with 23 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-10 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and two steals over 24 minutes during Saturday's 95-56 victory over Northern Kentucky.

Impact The smooth-shooting freshman has opened with two productive games for the Volunteers. He is averaging 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The upcoming Tennessee schedule is not arduous with North Florida, Rice and Tennessee State coming up. Ament should continue to put up big numbers.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

J.P. Estrella - Double-doubles off the bench Estrella posted 17 points (8-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes during Saturday's 95-56 victory over Northern Kentucky.

Impact Estrella was limited to three games last season by a foot injury. The 6-11 center has looked good in the early games of his redshirt sophomore season. He has 12 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes in the opener against Mercer. It may not be long before he supplants Felix Okpara in the starting lineup.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

College basketball opens a new season with an influx of international talent

There's an influx of international talent in college basketball this year

NOVEMBER 6 • Associated Press

Last Night in College Basketball: Anderson Shines While Texas Tech Sets Record

Christian Anderson's Red Raiders set a program record, Bennett Stirtz introduced himself (again), UConn had a convincing win and more from T...

NOVEMBER 5 • FOX SPORTS

No. 9 NC State leans on Pierre, Jones to beat No. 8 Tennessee after losing last year's star guards

No. 9 N

NOVEMBER 5 • Associated Press

Peterson and Dybantsa lead a stacked freshman class as college basketball season begins

Darryn Peterson of Kansas and A

NOVEMBER 4 • Associated Press

Everything Tennessee Basketball Players Nate Ament and JP Estrella Said After Win Over Mercer The process did not go as planned for the Volunteers during Monday evening's contest. Although it was not pretty, the Tennessee Volunteers f...

NOVEMBER 4 • SI.COM

Everything Tennessee Basketball Head Coach Rick Barnes Said Following Season Opening Win Over Mercer The Tennessee Volunteers Basketball team led by Rick Barnes, welcomed the Mercer Bears to Thompson-Bowling arena at Food City Center on Mond...

NOVEMBER 4 • SI.COM