No. 22 Tennessee Surges Ahead of Missouri Visit

Volunteers have won 9 of last 11 games as March Madness approaches

Feb. 24, 2026 at 3:10am

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The No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers have won four straight games and nine of their last 11, climbing back into the Associated Press Top 25 this week. Tennessee coach Rick Barnes praised his team's improved mental toughness and ball control as they prepare to visit the Missouri Tigers, who remain on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Why it matters

Tennessee is positioning itself for a high NCAA Tournament seed with its strong recent play, while Missouri is still fighting to solidify its place in the field of 68. This matchup between the two SEC foes could have significant implications for their postseason aspirations.

The details

Tennessee has been led by the emergence of freshman forward DeWayne Brown II, who has contributed 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists over the past two games. The Volunteers have also cut down on turnovers, a key area of focus for coach Barnes. Missouri, meanwhile, is looking for better play from point guards T.O. Barrett and Anthony Robinson II, who combined for more turnovers than assists in their last game against Arkansas.

  • Tennessee has won 4 straight games and 9 of their last 11.
  • Tennessee climbed back into the AP Top 25 this week.

The players

Rick Barnes

Head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

DeWayne Brown II

Freshman forward for the Tennessee Volunteers who has emerged as a key contributor.

T.O. Barrett

Point guard for the Missouri Tigers.

Anthony Robinson II

Point guard for the Missouri Tigers.

Dennis Gates

Head coach of the Missouri Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“When you talk about toughness, it's not just the physicality part of it, it's the mental toughness part. That's where we've improved the most. Two games in a row now, back-to-back, where we've had less than 10 turnovers.”

— Rick Barnes, Head coach, Tennessee Volunteers

“No question, DeWayne Brown has been the biggest surprise on our team this year, and he's only going to get better and better. Really knows how to play. Great hands, sees the floor and the more he's in the game, the more he gets a great feel for it.”

— Rick Barnes, Head coach, Tennessee Volunteers

“You know, having 10 turnovers on the road to 18 assists is great, but we still had too many turnovers in crucial moments that I thought hurt us, and it helped Arkansas' run.”

— Dennis Gates, Head coach, Missouri Tigers

What’s next

Tennessee and Missouri will face off on Tuesday night in Columbia, Missouri. The outcome of this game could have significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament aspirations.

The takeaway

Tennessee has regained its footing and is playing its best basketball of the season at the right time, while Missouri is still fighting to solidify its place in the NCAA Tournament field. This matchup between the two SEC foes should provide an exciting preview of the intensity and competitiveness that will define the upcoming March Madness tournament.