No. 8 Tennessee earned a statement moment on Saturday afternoon with a 64-44 victory over No. 5 Florida in Knoxville.
The Vols entered the game undermanned with Zakai Zeigler (knee) and Igor Milicic Jr. (illness) both out of action, but still rallied for the big Top 5 win from the Food City Center.
Tennessee forced Florida to play a slow, mucky game in the first half and got the Gators unbalanced in the first 20 minutes. The Vols then took that momentum and dominated the Gators in the final 20 minutes. Tennessee’s three senior guards (Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey) combined for 43 points in the win.
Social media was fired up with optimism coming out of the contest, especially considering Tennessee’s two-game slide against Auburn and Kentucky and the shorthanded roster heading into the game on Saturday. Fans and media members alike took to X after the game to share their thoughts and reactions on Tennessee’s big 20-point win.
More from RTI: Rick Barnes Updates Zakai Zeigler’s Knee Injury Following Tennessee Win Over Florida
Check out some of the top reactions below:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/WeDInejpKI
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 1, 2025
On January 7th, Florida beat Tennessee by THIRTY when the Vols were at full strength.
Today, Tennessee beat Florida by 20 WITHOUT both Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic.
Anarchy?
Nope. Just College Basketball.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 1, 2025
Final:
Florida 44
Tennessee 64This was one of the finest performances I have seen from Tennessee under Rick Barnes. Period. End of story.
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) February 1, 2025
Insane stat for Tennessee pic.twitter.com/9v0Yg8XUjh
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) February 1, 2025
Program win for Tennessee. Tennessee fans really ought to appreciate that program.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 1, 2025
What a bounce back statement win by Tennessee.
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) February 1, 2025
Really impressive program win for Tennessee to take down Florida by 20 without two starters, including Zakai. Every game in the SEC this year is a war. Conference has never been better.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 1, 2025
A Top 5 team that beat you by 30 last time out.
Without their heart-and-soul in Zakai Zeigler or talented starting post Igor Milicic Jr., @Vol_Hoops rose-up to beat Florida 64-44.
Beat your rival. Snapped a losing streak. Found out you can trust Boswell more. Huge for resume! https://t.co/Ywn5aP64rw
— Vince Ferrara (@VinceSports) February 1, 2025
GET OUT OF MY SWAMP. pic.twitter.com/I9tdQPI3e4
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) February 1, 2025
One of THE BEST WINS of the Barnes Era!
— Reed Carringer (@ReedCarringer) February 1, 2025
(NARRATOR:) It was not ugly for Tennessee. https://t.co/Ppt4xNZvlD
— Chad Withrow (@TheChadWithrow) February 1, 2025
Absolutely massive win missing 2 starters with one being your senior leader and heart and soul senior Point Guard https://t.co/SCMg06Svnf
— Skyler hyde (@Skylerhyde11) February 1, 2025
got our get back
https://t.co/WUC1AtLOpd
— TREY MORTEN (@TwoTreyz) February 1, 2025
That’s how you play a basketball game. #Vols pic.twitter.com/1JqDTXD5lZ
— Emilie Rae Cochrane (@EmCochranetv) February 1, 2025
Tennessee beating Florida without Zakai Zeigler or Igor Miličić is very impressive https://t.co/D7jHwKVZzy
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) February 1, 2025
The separation that Tennessee created on the scoreboard in the final 20 minutes
(via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/8Atc1azj9v
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) February 1, 2025
It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol! Congrats on the win, @Vol_Hoops! I could hear #5 cheering you on from across the court.
#GBO #EverythingSchool https://t.co/Se61PPuH4T
— Donde Plowman (@DondePlowman) February 1, 2025
Gone get! https://t.co/nDeAOirrcx
— Admiral Schofield (@Uncle_Scho) February 1, 2025
Just a straight-up punking by Tennessee. Didn’t matter the personnel available… Vols just were not losing on their home court again. Effort level has been SUPERB on both ends.
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) February 1, 2025
#8 Tennessee, down two starters including the heartbeat Zakai Ziegler, beat a top 5 Florida team by 20. The same Gators that beat the Vols by 30 earlier this season. Arguably the Vols best win of the season and a much needed one for a team that had lost 3 of their last 4 https://t.co/luoqQvasLv
— No Off-Season Sports (@no_offseason1) February 1, 2025
What an incredibly satisfying revenge game.
Vols crush Florida in the 2nd half even without Zakai Zeigler or Igor Milicic for the whole game.
HIGHLY impressive performance for Tennessee against No. 5 Florida
Bye bye Gators and Golden
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) February 1, 2025
What an incredibly impressive showing from Tennessee today.
— Jack Crosby (@Jack_Crosby14) February 1, 2025
Great effort with undermanned team. Fan base needed this badly. Good to see the players didn’t give up when hearing nothing but negativity all week
— Things Vol Fans Say (@ThingsVolsSay) February 1, 2025
What a win by the Vols today!! Guts, grit and toughness! Go Vols!!
— Scott in NC
(@RooVol) February 1, 2025
I don’t really have enough words for what Vol hoops did today. Unreal job by all seven players and the entire staff. That’s a good Florida team that Tennessee made look terrrible.
— Reed Carringer (@ReedCarringer) February 1, 2025
