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Rick Barnes explains confidence in Jahmai Mashack on the final possession vs. Alabama

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•03/02/25•

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Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee Basketball | Andrew Ferguson, Tennessee Athletics
Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee Basketball | Andrew Ferguson, Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee senior Jahmai Mashack was a hero for the Volunteers in their 79-76 win over Alabama on Saturday. In the win, Mashack converted two crucial free throws with 30 seconds left to tie the game at 76-76.

Then, after Alabama committed a turnover with 3.8 seconds remaining, Mashack drove the ball just past halfcourt and drained a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired. After the game, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes praised Mashack for his clutch plays in the game’s final minute.

“I’ve seen him do it,” Barnes said. “Right now, that’s one of the biggest things we’re talking to the guys that have never been in these kinds of games this time of year. I said it’s not a lot about Xs and Os, it’s about toughness, making plays.

“The fact is that’s what he does, that’s how he plays. But there was no question in my mind, I told them (his assistants), he’s got to be out there and he willed his way into, he made the free throws and made the shot at the end.”

Mashack finished the game with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists while shooting 3-5 (60%) from the field — all higher than his season averages. He’s earned his moment in the spotlight.

This season is Mashack’s fourth with the Volunteers. He’s steadily increased his contributions to the program and is now averaging 28.2 minutes per game. While Rick Barnes is confident in Mashack’s abilities, he also admitted the 35-foot heave wasn’t the shot he wanted his team to take.

In fact, as Jahmai Mashack dribbled up the court on the game-winning play, Barnes was frantically trying to call a timeout from the sidelines. Thankfully for him, the officials didn’t see him.

“(Mashack is) normally not in that position, but I looked at him and said, ‘You got to go. You got to go,'” Barnes said. “(Tennessee players) know I’m going to call the timeout. I made one good coaching move today. I didn’t tell the referee I was going to call timeout. I normally tell them and they would probably have given it to me. But I’m screaming and, really, I did not see the shot.

“But I’m happy for Jahmai. He’s been just incredible with everything. I mean, he exemplifies everything that you want in a player, a person, great family.”

On Wednesday, Tennessee will square off against Ole Miss at 9 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN2.