The crowd of more than 15,000 in the State Farm Center looked ready to storm the court if Illinois had upset No. 1 Tennessee on Saturday evening in Champaign, IL.
Jordan Gainey had other plans.
With Tennessee and Illinois tied at 64 and just six seconds left on the clock, the senior guard for the Vols went coast-to-coast down the court and hit a game-winning layup as the buzzer sounded to keep Tennessee’s undefeated season alive and stun the sold-out crowd.
In just a matter of seconds, Illinois went from preparing to storm the court to complete disbelief.
Tennessee’s players swarmed Gainey on the court in a standing-up dogpile that moved across the baseline. As the Vols’ group of players got closer to a group of fans sitting courtside, it appeared as though an Illinois fan reached out and made contact with Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier.
The video on social media comes from WCIA 3 Sports Director Glenn Kinley.
Here’s the Tennessee buzzer beater and ensuing celebration. Clock hits 0 at pretty much the exact time the ball hits the net.
Heartbreaker in Champaign. pic.twitter.com/fVeg6sNPNs
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) December 15, 2024
That was the end of the interaction as both teams shook hands after the game following the official’s confirmation on the review.
Tennessee gave Gainey the “silent treatment celebration” as he was the last player to get back to the locker room following postgame interviews.
got himmmmm pic.twitter.com/fOBiJ3W6uL
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) December 15, 2024
More from RTI: Illinois HC Brad Underwood: Tennessee The Best Team The Illini Have Played And ‘It’s Not Close’
Tennessee and Illinois fought in a 40-minute battle that looked like it was destined for overtime until Gainey’s game-winning play. The Vols’ senior guard stepped up to the challenge with Tennessee in foul trouble and ended the game with 23 points including 18 in the second half alone.
Gainey finished the game 6-of-14 from the floor and 3-of-6 from three-point range.
UNREAL FINISH
VOLS WINNNNNNNN pic.twitter.com/7KhizezTW2
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) December 15, 2024
No. 1 Tennessee (10-0) will return to Knoxville to host Western Carolina (3-6) on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
