Missouri Upsets No. 22 Tennessee Behind Barrett's 28 Points

The Tigers snap the Volunteers' four-game winning streak with a 73-69 victory.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 10:10am

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T.O. Barrett scored a career-high 28 points as the Missouri Tigers defeated the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers 73-69 in Columbia, Missouri. Mark Mitchell added 23 points for the Tigers, who won for the fifth time in seven games to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes. Ja'Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 19 points, but the Volunteers' four-game winning streak was snapped.

Why it matters

This victory is a significant boost for Missouri's NCAA Tournament aspirations, as they look to secure a bid to the Big Dance. Tennessee, on the other hand, missed an opportunity to strengthen their position in the SEC standings and will need to regroup quickly.

The details

Missouri overcame a slow start, trailing 12-2 early, and used a 13-3 run in the second half to pull ahead 56-48 with 7:52 remaining. Barrett scored 8 points in a 2 1/2-minute span to help the Tigers maintain their lead. Tennessee cut the deficit to 67-65 late, but Missouri hit 4 free throws in the final 18.5 seconds to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Missouri trailed 29-26 at halftime but rallied in the second half.

The players

T.O. Barrett

A Missouri player who scored a career-high 28 points in the victory.

Mark Mitchell

A Missouri player who scored 23 points to support Barrett's performance.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

A Tennessee player who led the Volunteers with 19 points in the losing effort.

Nate Ament

A Tennessee player who scored 17 points in the game.

Felix Okpara

A Tennessee player who had 15 points and 8 rebounds in the game.

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What’s next

Missouri will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for an NCAA Tournament berth, while Tennessee will need to regroup and get back on track in the SEC standings.

The takeaway

Missouri's upset victory over a ranked Tennessee team showcases the Tigers' potential and resilience, as they look to solidify their place in the NCAA Tournament field. This game also highlights the parity in the SEC, where any team can beat a highly-ranked opponent on any given night.