The Tennessee Volunteers emerged victorious in the championship game of the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship, defeating the Baylor Bears 76-70 in a hard-fought contest that lived up to the hype. Tennessee showcased its defensive tenacity and offensive versatility, ultimately outlasting a talented Baylor team in a game that featured moments of brilliance from both sides.
After the game, both head coaches—Rick Barnes of Tennessee and Scott Drew of Baylor—shared their thoughts on the contest, their teams, and the significance of competing at such a high level early in the season.
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes praised his players for their grit and composure against a tough Baylor squad. Barnes highlighted the importance of facing strong competition early in the season, noting how games like this prepare his team for the rigors of SEC play and beyond.
“I’m proud of how our guys fought tonight. Baylor is an incredibly well-coached team, and they challenged us in every aspect of the game,” Barnes said. “We knew it was going to take a complete effort, and I thought our defense really stepped up when we needed it most.”
Tennessee’s defense played a crucial role in the victory, holding Baylor’s high-powered offense to 70 points and forcing critical turnovers in the final minutes. Barnes credited his players’ ability to execute the game plan and remain disciplined under pressure.
“Our guys stayed locked in defensively,” Barnes added. “We’ve talked a lot about how important it is to communicate and stay connected on that end of the floor, and tonight they did that.”
Offensively, Tennessee was led by standout performances from guard Dalton Knecht, who poured in 19 points, and Santiago Vescovi, who added 11 points and key contributions in crunch time. Barnes emphasized the team’s balanced attack as a strength moving forward.
“We’ve got a group that shares the ball and plays unselfishly,” Barnes said. “When we’re moving the ball like we did tonight, we’re a tough team to guard.”
On the other side, Baylor head coach Scott Drew expressed disappointment in the loss but remained optimistic about his team’s potential. Drew acknowledged Tennessee’s strong performance while focusing on the lessons his team could take from the game.
“Credit to Tennessee—they played a great game and made the plays they needed to down the stretch,” Drew said. “We’ve got a lot of respect for their program and the way they compete.”
Drew highlighted areas where Baylor could improve, particularly in rebounding and execution in key moments. Tennessee held a narrow edge on the boards, outrebounding Baylor 35-31, and managed to capitalize on second-chance opportunities.
“We’ve got to do a better job on the glass and make sure we’re finishing possessions,” Drew said. “Games like this come down to little things, and Tennessee did a better job in those areas tonight.”
Despite the loss, Drew was encouraged by the effort of his players, including guard RayJ Dennis, who led Baylor with 22 points, and big man Jalen Bridges, who added 14 points and 9 rebounds.
“I’m proud of how hard our guys competed,” Drew noted. “We’ll learn from this and use it to get better. That’s what these early-season tournaments are all about.”
The Baha Mar Hoops Championship showcased two elite programs that are expected to make deep runs in March. For Tennessee, the victory adds to their growing momentum, while Baylor leaves the Bahamas with valuable experience and confidence in their potential.
Both coaches expressed appreciation for the opportunity to compete in such a high-profile event, with Barnes noting the significance of building chemistry in a tournament environment.
“These games are about more than just winning,” Barnes said. “It’s about growing as a team, learning from each other, and building trust. I think we took a big step forward this week.”
As for Drew, he echoed a similar sentiment, focusing on the bigger picture for his team.
“We want to be playing our best basketball in March,” Drew said. “This is just one step in the journey, and we’ll be better because of it.”
With the Baha Mar Championship now behind them, both teams will return home to prepare for the next phase of their seasons. Tennessee will look to build on their success as they gear up for SEC competition, while Baylor will aim to bounce back and continue improving in the highly competitive Big 12.
For now, the Volunteers can celebrate a hard-earned victory that underscores their potential as one of the top teams in the country. As Rick Barnes and his squad hoisted the championship trophy, they left no doubt that Tennessee is a team to watch in the months ahead.