There’s been talk among Tennessee fans claiming the Vols perform better when Jahmai Mashack isn’t on the floor, with some analytics suggesting the offense becomes more efficient and productive when he’s off and his defensive presence is absent.

“They said that?” Mashack responded with a smile.

He was able to joke because he had the last laugh after hitting a 35-foot shot as time expired to stun No. 6 Alabama, leading No. 5 Tennessee to a 79-76 victory in a thrilling game at Food City Center.

“No, I’m playing,” Mashack continued, “I hear everything. I still scroll through social media sometimes.”

But it wasn’t just the last-second shot—the one that quickly went viral—it was also Mashack’s hustle. He grabbed an offensive rebound after a missed free throw and drew a foul. He also forced a crucial tie-up with 3.8 seconds remaining.

“Those extra possessions,” Mashack said, “are plays I always make.”

“It’s more than just analytics, it’s beyond the stat sheet,” he added.

Tennessee was down by four when Chaz Lanier scored and drew a foul with 30.3 seconds left. After Lanier missed his free throw, Mashack beat Alabama’s Jarin Stevenson to the rim, drawing a foul on Stevenson for a shove in the back. Mashack made both free throws to tie the game on a crucial four-point possession.

On the other end, Mashack forced a tie-up with Alabama guard LaBaron Philon in the final seconds, flexing on the floor after getting the whistle. He then helped Tennessee force a five-second violation on Alabama’s inbound pass.

The contributions Mashack made before his game-winning shot are the kinds of plays that don’t show up in the efficiency stats.

“The main thing for me,” Mashack said, “is I want to put everything I can into impressing and winning over Tennessee fans. I know most of them appreciate my effort and the way I play.”

“And it’s something I feel I’ve said a lot: other people say it’s more than analytics, it’s beyond the stat sheet.”

Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark echoed that sentiment, rejecting the idea that the Vols are better off without Mashack on the floor.

“I see some of the stuff on social media, where people say our best lineups don’t include Jahmai Mashack,” Clark said. “And I get it, analytics can say a lot, but when you’re in the heat of battle, saying we’re better without him is kind of… I hate to use this word—stupid. It just is.”

Mashack demonstrated his all-around value against Alabama, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and only one turnover in 34 minutes of play.

“I think it’s important for guys to trust what they see with their own eyes, not just rely on analytics,” Mashack said. “You can always find stats to support your opinion, but that’s the thing about analytics.”

Mashack’s performance against Alabama has been nothing short of impressive.

In the last two games against the Crimson Tide, Mashack has tallied 19 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and three blocks in wins at Tuscaloosa and Knoxville. He shot 6-for-9 from the field and 3-for-3 from three-point range in 61 minutes.

In Tennessee’s 81-74 win at Alabama last March, Mashack made a pivotal play by diving into the scorer’s table to keep possession for Tennessee. He finished with eight points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block in 27 minutes of play.

After Saturday’s win, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes mentioned that his assistant coaches asked if he wanted to go with a bigger lineup and remove Mashack from the floor late in the game.

“I said I want Shack on the court,” Barnes explained. “I want him out there. He’s been through a lot, and at this time of year, he knows what it takes.”

Mashack understands what it means to make winning plays, whether or not they show up in the box score or boost offensive efficiency.

“They know who I am; they know how hard I play,” Mashack said of his coaches and teammates. “They know what I do to create opportunities, both for myself and others.”