Nate Ament was forecast to be an immediate star, and he is living up to the billing as No. 20 Tennessee prepares to face North Florida on Wednesday night at Knoxville, Tenn.

The five-star recruit averaged 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in his first two college games, including 23 points and eight boards in Saturday's 95-56 rout of visiting Northern Kentucky.

The output against the Norse was the most for a Tennessee freshman since Julian Phillips scored 25 against Southern California on Nov. 24, 2022, in the Bahamas.

Ament quickly has impressed veteran Tennessee coach Rick Barnes with his court vision and determination.

"With Nate, I thought he was assertive," Barnes said. "I thought not just what he was doing driving the ball; his passes over the top of the zone were big. Thought he was

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