No. 18 Tennessee Opens Season With 76-61 Victory Over Mercer

The No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team opened their 2025-26 season with a 76-61 victory over Mercer at the Food City Center in Knoxville. Freshman forward Nate Ament led the team with 18-19 points and nine rebounds, showcasing a strong performance in his collegiate debut, while J.P. Estrella contributed a career-high 12 points. Despite Tennessee committing 19 turnovers, they dominated the boards 54-32 and shot nearly 50% from the field, effectively controlling the game's pace and maintaining a lead that peaked at 23 points. Mercer struggled offensively, shooting just around 30% overall and suffering extended scoring droughts, though they briefly trimmed the deficit late in the second half. Tennessee coach Rick Barnes highlighted the need to reduce turnovers but praised Ament's growth and adaptability against scrappy opponents. The win continued Tennessee’s strong tradition at home openers, moving their record to 36-3 in such games underlining their resilience coming off consecutive Elite Eight appearances.