By JACK CHURCH

Tennessee started its season Monday with a weak win over Mercer. The Vols turned it over 19 times but still had enough power to beat their Southern Conference opponent by 15.

When Northern Kentucky came into Food City Center on Saturday, a different Tennessee team showed up. The Vols shot 52% from the field to beat the Norse, 95-56.

"I thought guys played within themselves as opposed to thinking they had to make something happen," Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. "I thought they let the offense come to them."

Ten different players scored for Tennessee, including three different scorers of at least 17 points. The Vols assisted 24 of their 34 made baskets in the win.

Tennessee reduced its turnovers to 12 in Saturday's win. While there is still plenty of room to improve, Barnes was happy with the step his team took.

"I thought our passing for the most part was probably the best it's been all year," Barnes said, "in terms of putting the ball where it needed to be and not taking guys out of shooting rhythm."

Tennessee was dominant on the boards, out-rebounding the Norse by 22. The Vols picked up 16 offensive rebounds on 31 opportunities, collecting more than have of their own misses. It fueled their offense, scoring 17 second-chance points.

Nate Ament starts strong in freshman season

Nate Ament was expected to be a star for the Vols, and he's been delivering for the Vols early on. The freshman scored 18 points against Mercer and 23 points against Northern Kentucky.

"I thought he was assertive," Barnes said. "I thought just what he was doing, driving the ball, passes over top of the zone were big. I thought he was really starting to see the court better."

Ament may not be all the way there in terms of on-the-court performance, but he has the right mindset. It's one that makes Barnes happy with the direction Ament is headed.

"He takes serious our scouting reports," Barnes said. "He's got respect for who we're playing. He's starting to understand more and more each day what he's capable of doing."

Ja'Kobi Gillespie, J.P. Estrella step up

After scoring eight points in his opening game with the Vols, Ja'Kobi Gillespie knew he needed to make more of an impact. The Maryland transfer did so against Northern Kentucky, scoring 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting.

Gillespie is starting to adjust to the attention he is receiving. He didn't experience the defensive pressure with the Terrapins that he will face this season.

"He's got a bullseye on him because of what he is as a player, and that's never really happened to him at this level," Barnes said. "That is going to continue."

J.P. Estrella's start for the Vols has been outstanding after missing last season due to injury. He scored 12 points against Mercer and picked up a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Norse. Both performances came off the bench.

Estrella's presence is important to bring frontcourt depth to the Vols after lacking it last season. The redshirt sophomore has plenty of room to improve, which will come with more game time.

"You think back at the end of his freshman year, he felt like he was making strides," Barnes said. "He still doesn't have a clue how good he can be. He's such a humble, loving guy."

The Vols have three more games against mid-major opponents before heading to Las Vegas for the Player's Era Festival. From there, the schedule gets much tougher when Tennessee plays three ranked teams in a stretch of six games, potentially adding a fourth in a placement game while in Sin City. From there, two more buy games set up the Vols for a loaded 18-game SEC schedule.

Tennessee is by no means perfect yet, but it took a strong step from its first game to its second.