Jordan Gainey’s game-winning buzzer-beater had social media fired up on Saturday night.
With No. 1 Tennessee tied in a 64-all battle against Illinois in Champaign with six seconds left, Gainey went coast-to-coast to deliver the game-winning layup to lift the Vols to the win and keep the undefeated season alive at 10-0.
Tennessee overcame offensive adversity and foul trouble to show a sense of toughness on the road, capped off by Gainey’s 23 points (18 second half) and game-winning play.
Media members and fans alike gave Gainey his flowers on social media after the game.
More from RTI: Illinois HC Brad Underwood: Tennessee The Best Team The Illini Have Played And ‘It’s Not Close’
Check out some of the top reactions from Saturday night here:
On this beautiful morning… Jordan Gainey is STILL the tweet#GBO
— Rod Clark (@CoachRodC_UT) December 15, 2024
JORDAN GAINEY
CALLED
GAAAMMMMMEEEEEEEE
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) December 15, 2024
Rick Barnes gives a history lesson on Jordan Gainey’s buzzer-beater. A play he has had in his playbook for a long time. #Vols pic.twitter.com/Vd4fj2r0K5
— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) December 15, 2024
JORDAN GAINEY IS HIM pic.twitter.com/lnSULBAZdZ
— Nathan West (@NathanWest) December 15, 2024
For Tennessee to win that game with all the foul trouble and for Jordan Gainey to deliver in that spot on the road, wow. That is a sensational victory for the Volunteers. Toughness personified.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 15, 2024
Jordan Gainey just did his best Tyus Edney impression. Tennessee is 10-0 for the first time since the late 1990s. The crazy thing about the Vols? Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier are playing like All-Americans, but Jahmai Mashack is this team’s Most Valuable Player.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 15, 2024
The timeline told me Jordan Gainey was only here because of his dad.
What a perfect player for this team.. and one that’s progressed every month since he’s been here.
— Reed Carringer (@ReedCarringer) December 15, 2024
Jordan Gainey. Also known as Mr. Two Phones. pic.twitter.com/nfy0F3OGVD
— Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) December 15, 2024
WOW
No. 1 Tennessee wins at the buzzer, on the Jordan Gainey drive to the basket
What a game, Illinois is a damn strong team pic.twitter.com/0Qelxy2x4G
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) December 15, 2024
Woke up from a 4 hour nap in time to see Jordan Gainey’s final shot go in pic.twitter.com/w8TujPTTlZ
— 🧡 Charley Bee a National Champion 🧡 (@CharleyBee007) December 15, 2024
@Vol_Hoops Jordan Gainey coast to coast was $$$
— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) December 15, 2024
Despite the best effort of the officials, Tennessee SURVIVES at the buzzer!
No Zakai, no Lanier, no problem. Because the Vols had Jordan Gainey.
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) December 15, 2024
Jordan Gainey at the buzzer and Tennessee wins. Holy ONIONS.
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) December 15, 2024
you’ll be surprised to hear Jordan Gainey cannot wipe the smile off his face during his postgame press conference.
— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) December 15, 2024
Jordan Gainey keeps Tennessee the ONLY school in the country with two undefeated basketball teams! https://t.co/CHa9pmM2Nt
— Brian Rice (@briancrice) December 15, 2024
Jordan Gainey, who transferred from USC Upstate two years ago to play for Tennessee – where his father Justin is an assistant – just hit the game-winner with no time left.
Tennessee remains unbeaten with the win in Champaign against Illinois.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 15, 2024
NO. 1 TENNESSEE WINS IT AT THE BUZZER AT ILLINOIS‼️
This is Tennessee’s first 10-0 start since 1999-2000 season 👏 pic.twitter.com/GYURaomzVa
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 15, 2024
My audience isn’t going to like it but Tennessee might just be that team this year. All forces working against them tonight on the road at Illinois and find a way to get it done. That’s special.
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) December 15, 2024
Mind-boggling win for Tennessee beating a really good Illinois team at their place on a buzzer beater.
Battled so much adversity with the foul trouble situation but Jordan Gainey is unbelievable!!!! GO VOLS!
— Vol Herald (@VolHerald) December 15, 2024
Emotion-based thought:
WHY NOT STEP INTO THE GUY HURLING HIMSELF DOWN THE COURT?? Make him shoot 1-and-1, call a timeout and take the last shot of the game. Not a basketball player tho, so obviously not expert thinking.
— Barstool Illini (@BarstoolILL) December 15, 2024
