Tennessee (19-7, 9-4 SEC) has won seven of its last eight Southeastern Conference games and is currently on a three-game win streak with five games remaining in the regular season.

The Vols now enter the most crucial stretch of their season, with plenty to work on and plenty to be proud of in their quest for championship glory.

The first step will be Saturday at Vanderbilt. Tip is set for 2 p.m. ET.

One-Two Punch

The engine that makes this Tennessee team run is the explosive offensive combo of senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and freshman forward Nate Ament. Averaging a near identical 18.1 and 18.2 respective ppg this season, the two first year Vols have carried their team to relevancy this season.

In his first and likely last season with Tennessee, Ament has become everything that Vols fans, players and coaches had hoped for him to be.

Over his last 10 games, Ament has averaged an impressive 23.4 points, emerging as a top offensive threat in the country.

Currently in the conversation for several regular season honors including SEC Freshman of the Year and the Men’s College Player of the Year Late Season Team, Ament has learned to use his slender 6-foot-10 frame to pick apart and shoot over smaller defenders, serving as a nightmare matchup for opposing teams.

Also named to the watchlist for Late Season Player of the year, Gillespie has excelled in his first season with Tennessee as the primary ballhandler and deadly shot creator.

Averaging over 18 points, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season, Gillespie has helped the Vols in all facets of the game and will continue to provide veteran leadership to his team as the postseason arrives. 

With the emergence of playmakers Ament and GIllespie and a  season-ending injury to junior forward Cade Phillips, Tennessee big man J.P. Estrella has taken the step into a larger role for his team.

Averaging 9.7 ppg on 61.6 field goal percentage, Estrella has become a reliable rim-runner who the Volunteers can also confidently turn to in the post for a quick and easy bucket. Estrella missed the Oklahoma game with a sore left foot. It was the same foot that caused him to miss all of last year.

End of game

In order for Tennessee to reach their goals of a conference and national championship this season, the Vols must learn to finish the job against good teams.

Several times this season, the Volunteers have had above-average opponents on the ropes but couldn't get the job done.

Early in the season, after taking down No. 3 Houston, the Vols suffered a narrow 81-76 defeat to Kansas. Tennessee had several leads and opportunities to win this crucial game, but just couldn't find a way.

More recently, the Volunteers suffered two backbreaking defeats to SEC rival Kentucky. 

In the first of two matchups, in Knoxville, the Volunteers led by 17 at one point before allowing a backbreaking second half Wildcats comeback. Tennessee lost that game 80-78.

Similarly, in a Feb. 7 rematch in Lexington, Tennessee held a 14-point lead at halftime, showing no signs of a repeat of their first matchup. But in a disappointing second half showing, the Vols choked their lead, as Kentucky stormed back for a 74-71 victory.

Turnovers and missed free throws have haunted this team all season. Big-man Jaylen Carey has been on the cusp of making an impact, but couldn't maintain his effective play. Guard Bishop Boswell has grown into the role of a leader. 

Felix Okpara stepped forward to fill in for Estrella with 18 points and 7 rebounds against the Sooners. DeWayne Brown II also rose to the occasion with 13 points.

The Volunteers cannot let these slippages occur in March. There are no second chances in the tournament. 

In order for Tennessee to remain competitive in the chase for a banner and to reach its desired heights this season, they must find ways to and put together complete 40-minute games against good teams.