KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Nate Ament has arrived.
The freshman standout showed great potential in the early parts of this season, but something appeared to be missing.
The killer instinct.
You know– the ability for a player to take over any given game at will. The flexibility for a coach to put the ball in his star player’s hands and let him run the show. That moment as an opposing fan when you realize that the fate of your team is now controlled by one man on the floor.
After three straight 19+ point games and a career night on the road at Alabama, Ament began showing signs of being that exact player, which Tennessee hoped he would become.
On Tuesday night however, Ament’s lackluster first-half performance showed otherwise.
Entering the halftime break, Ament’s Volunteers (16-6, 6-3 SEC) held a tight 26-25 lead over the Ole Miss Rebels (11-11, 3-6), with little help coming from the freshman forward who had committed more turnovers (2) than made field goals (1).
Connecting on just one of five shots (0-2 3pt) Ament blended in on the court in the first half, showing no signs of drastic improvement against an overbearing Rebels defense.
But in the second half… something changed.
Tennessee- led by Ament, exploded in the back half of play, besting Ole Miss in just about every facet of the game.
The Vols overpowered the Rebels’ gritty defense, scoring 58 points in the second half, 26 coming from Ament.
The freshman star was getting buckets however and whenever he pleased en route to a 84-66 victory for Tennessee.
From shot-clock-buzzer-beating fadeaway’s off the glass to smooth side-stepping three pointers, the nineteen-year-old came into his own in half number two.
“It was me figuring out their defense,” Ament said of the difference in his first and second half play.
Crediting the Rebels for the early fits they gave him, the freshman explained how he grew to adapt throughout the game and eventually excel.
“They had a different defensive scheme… so for me to just figure that out… it worked.”
In addition to the several flashy buckets that he scored, Ament also did the dirty work in the paint, creating and converting on multiple and-one opportunities in the second half, much to the appreciation of his teammates.
“It’s been amazing,” redshirt-sophomore J.P. Estrella said of Ament’s improvements this season. “Nights like these are huge for him, and we need that every single night out of him.”
When his dominant scoring barrage finally reached an end, and Ament was subbed out of Tuesday’s game, he was met on the sideline by a rare smile from head coach Rick Barnes.
“I love the kid to death,” Barnes said when asked what prompted the emotion. “[Ament’s] everything that you’d want in a player and your program.”
The player and coach have built a special bond in the one season they have spent together, and are both highly complimentary of each other.
When he committed to the Vols last April, Ament knew the kind of coach he was getting with Barnes, who has mentored several star pro players over his coaching career. The added bonus however, has been the emotional impact that the coach has provided.
“He’s been helping me in so many ways. Not just with my basketball game, but also off the court and mentally.”
Barnes expressed great admiration for Ament as both the player and person after his huge game against Ole Miss, citing the work that his young star has put in this season.
“It was special because he earned it,” Barnes said.
“I really don’t care what anybody else says, I wouldn’t trade Nate for anybody in the country.”
After Tuesday’s matchup Ament’s point per game average increased to 17.1 (19.5 in SEC play).
The Vols return to action this Saturday night when they travel to Rupp Arena for a rematch with the Kentucky Wildcats (15-7, 6-3) at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.