Tennessee Assistants Recap Kentucky Loss, Preview Mississippi State

UT's Steve McClain and Amaree Abram discuss the team's recent performance and upcoming matchup.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 1:15pm

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After a loss to Kentucky, the Tennessee basketball team is preparing to face Mississippi State on the road. Assistant coach Steve McClain and guard Amaree Abram spoke to the media, reflecting on the Kentucky game and previewing the upcoming matchup against the Bulldogs.

Why it matters

Tennessee is looking to bounce back from their loss to Kentucky and maintain their position in the SEC standings. The team's performance against Mississippi State could impact their postseason hopes.

The details

Tennessee entered Saturday's loss to Kentucky on a four-game winning streak. The Volunteers are now 16-7 overall and 6-4 in SEC play. Mississippi State, their upcoming opponent, is 11-12 on the season and 3-7 in conference. During the media availability, McClain and Abram discussed the team's takeaways from the Kentucky game and their preparations for the Mississippi State matchup.

  • Tennessee will face Mississippi State on Wednesday, February 15th at 9:00 p.m. ET.
  • The Volunteers are coming off a loss to Kentucky on Saturday, February 11th.

The players

Steve McClain

Tennessee assistant basketball coach.

Amaree Abram

Tennessee basketball guard.

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What they’re saying

“We must bounce back and be ready for Mississippi State on Wednesday.”

— Steve McClain, Tennessee Assistant Coach

“I'm feeling better and ready to contribute against Mississippi State.”

— Amaree Abram, Tennessee Guard

What’s next

Tennessee will look to bounce back against Mississippi State on Wednesday, February 15th, as they aim to improve their SEC standing and postseason positioning.

The takeaway

Tennessee is determined to rebound from their loss to Kentucky and continue their push for a strong finish to the regular season. The team's performance against Mississippi State will be crucial as they seek to regain momentum in conference play.