After nearly blowing a second-half lead for a second straight Saturday game, Tennessee basketball was able to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive by holding of the Florida Gators Saturday. The Vols won 63-58 in Thompson-Boling Arena.
UT led 48-29 at one point in the second half, and the Gators cut it to one with under three minutes to go. However, Rocky Top regrouped and held on. With the win, they improved to 16-13 and 8-8 in the SEC, and Florida fell to 18-11 and 10-6 in the SEC. Rick Barnes improved to 5-1 against Mike White with the two at their respective schools.