The No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers had dreams of dancing into the Final Four today, but those dreams were dashed by the No. 1 Houston Cougars on Sunday in the final day of the Elite Eight in the men’s NCAA Tournament.
Although Houston had looked somewhat mortal in the tournament, the Cougars were dominant on defense against Tennessee, refusing to allow the Volunteers to get close to the basket for the first half. That game plan, combined with Tennessee being ice cold from deep, gave Houston a massive first-half lead that Tennessee was not able to recover from.
Tennessee might have been more impressive coming into this game, but a historically bad stretch of shooting doomed it from the start. The Volunteers’ defense, which had been praised throughout the tournament, was met with a solid, consistent, but not outstanding effort from Houston. In fact, Tennessee held L.J. Cryer to a relatively tame 17 points on subpar shooting. That wasn’t enough though as other Cougars such as Emanuel Sharp and Mylik Wilson came up big with timely points to put the game on ice.
Here is a recap of how Houston toppled Tennessee to punch its ticket to the Final Four:
Houston vs. Tennessee highlights
FINAL: Houston 69, Tennessee 50
Houston’s stout defense and timely 3-point shooting was the key to the Cougars’ victory Sunday. Although Tennessee made a solid run at the Cougars in the second half, Emanuel Sharp put Houston’s offense on his shoulders.
Even with L.J. Cryer having a rare off game, shooting just 6-of-17 from the field, Houston’s interior defense was enough to carry them to a dominant 19-point victory. The Cougars will play Duke in the Final Four on Saturday, April 5.
Emanuel Sharp, Mylik Wilson 3-pointers might be dagger for Houston
With Tennessee making a run at Houston, the Cougars’ Emanuel Sharp, a 41% 3-point shooter for the season, knocked down back-to-back triples to give Houston its massive lead back, scoring 11 of their past 15.
Sharp’s 3-pointers were followed by a 3-pointer from Mylik Wilson as well, giving the Cougars a likely insurmountable 17-point lead with less than four minutes to play. It’s 59-42 Houston.
Tennessee cuts deficit to 10
After a few solid plays, a questionable call gave Tennessee’s Zakai Ziegler two free throws down 11. He sank one of them.
For the first time since early in the first half, Tennessee has some life, within 10 points of Houston. In fact, Tennessee nearly corralled the rebound on Ziegler’s second free throw, but ultimately gave it away. The Volunteers have certainly outplayed Houston in the second half, but their cold first half may have been just too poor to overcome.
Big swing in Houston’s favor
Down 15, Tennessee had an opportunity for a massive play with a fast break for Jahmai Mashack. Mashack’s layup attempt was blocked, but not only was he fouled but the block was called for a goaltend.
After review, though, the block was called clean instead, giving Mashack, a 75% free throw shooter, two shots at the stripe. He missed both.
Tennessee went from a three-point play opportunity to 0-for-2 from the line. Those types of opportunities cannot be passed up if Tennessee wants any hope at a comeback. With seven minutes left, it’s Houston 50, Tennessee 35.
Jordan Gainey last 10 points for Tennessee
The second half has been much kinder to the Volunteers, in large part due to the hot hand of Jordan Gainey. Although Tennessee is still down big, Gainey is doing his best to keep it close, hitting a 3 to give his team a little more momentum with 13 minutes left.
The Volunteers are 22-2 this season when Gainey scores more than nine points. He has 14 in this one.
Full-court press leads to 5-point swing for Volunteers
It’s been a slow start to the second half for both offenses. However, after a foul down low gave Tennessee two free throws, the Volunteers were able to apply significant pressure to the Cougars and force a rushed shot on the defensive end. That led to a 5-v-4 fast break for Tennessee that resulted in a triple, just their second of the game.
While Houston was able to answer quickly with an and-one on the other end, Tennessee’s aggressiveness to start the second half seems to be serving them much better than their game plan during the first 20 minutes.
Houston is up 38-20.
Halftime: Houston 34, Tennessee 15
In every aspect of this game, Tennessee has been dominated. Rebounding, Houston leads 26-17, epitomized by its final possession when Tennessee forced a stop and would’ve had a few seconds to get a last-second shot off if Houston had not grabbed the offensive board.
With Tennessee shooting 21% from the floor, Houston does not need to do much to secure the win. That said, the Volunteers can only improve in the second half, and they obviously have the talent to make the Cougars sweat if they can go on a decent run.
Tennessee hits a 3-pointer, HUZZAH!
With just over 30 seconds left in the first half, Tennessee finally hit its first 3-pointer of the game. Zakai Zeigler was the one to end the stretch, with the Volunteers now shooting 1-of-15 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for Tennessee, it still trails by 19. It’s 34-15 Cougars and each team will only have one more possession in the first half.
It’s been all Houston
I’d like to say that any time Tennessee starts to get something going, Houston stops the Volunteers in their tracks. But in reality the Volunteers have not been able to get anything going at all. Houston hasn’t needed to stop Tennessee’s momentum because it hasn’t built any to begin with.
As has been the case all game, Tennessee has not been able to find any offense in the paint. Any move into the center of the court is met with big bodies and arms in the face of potential shooters. The Volunteers have had to rely on goaltending and fouls to get their points. They’ve been even worse on the perimeter, though. Tennessee is not a great 3-point shooting team, but it is ice cold even on open looks, going 0-for-14 from deep.
At this rate, Houston only needs to continue playing its game. While relying on such a cold shooting streak is a recipe for disaster, the Cougars are already so far ahead that it would take an enormous second half for them to blow this one.
Tennessee 0-8 on 3-pointers
It’s been a rough go for Tennessee. Although the Volunteers were finally able to get an easy dunk nearly 10 minutes into the game, they have already fallen behind by double-digit points thanks to Houston’s elite interior defense.
That defense has forced the Volunteers to take more outside shots, which does not fit their offensive game plan, with only two players shooting better than 35% from that distance. Clearly, Houston is playing into that weakness and Tennessee is having trouble adapting.
It’s 19-6 Houston with 10 minutes left in the first half.
Houston on 9-2 run to start game
It’s been a tough start for Tennessee, who has had serious problems getting the ball close to the basket. Houston’s stout interior defense is leading to turnovers and struggles for the Volunteers, who have been forced to rely on midrange shots and 3-pointers that just are not falling.
Meanwhile, the Cougars are 4-of-8 shooting to start this contest, with their latest points coming via a huge 3-pointer from L.J. Cryer. It’s been all Houston, but there’s still lots of game to go.
What time is Houston vs. Tennessee basketball today?
March Madness continues Sunday with the Elite Eight matchup between the No. 1-seeded Houston Cougars and the No. 2-seeded Tennessee Volunteers. The action tips off at 2:20 p.m. ET
Where to watch Houston vs. Tennessee: TV, streaming coverage
TV channel: CBS
Live stream: Paramount+ and Fubo (Fubo offers a free trial subscription)
Watch March Madness with Fubo
What channel is March Madness on?
Men’s NCAA Tournament games on Sunday will be broadcast on CBS. You can also watch Elite Eight action via these streaming options: Paramount+ and Fubo. Fubo offers a free trial subscription to new users.
Houston vs. Tennessee odds and betting line
The Houston Cougars are favorites to beat the Tennessee Volunteers, according to BetMGM odds as of Sunday, March 30.
Spread: Houston (-3.5)
Moneyline: Houston (-155); Tennessee (+130)
O/U: 125.5
Houston vs. Tennessee predictions and picks
The Arizona Republic: Houston 64, Tennessee 63
Jeremy Cluff writes: ‘The point spread for this game is the lowest of the four Elite Eight games, with Houston favored by just 3.5 points. The Cougars have won their most recent two NCAA Tournament games by a combined seven points, but they keep finding ways to win. Kelvin Sampson will find a way to lead his team to the Final Four with a very close win over Tennessee on Sunday.’
Sportsbook Wire: Houston 69, Tennessee 66
The site states: ‘Houston has compiled a 19-18-0 ATS record so far this year. Tennessee has covered 20 times in 37 chances against the spread this season. The 74.2 points per game the Cougars record are 11.3 more points than the Volunteers give up (62.9).’
Houston vs. Tennessee all-time head-to-head record, history
The Tennessee Volunteers and Houston Cougars have played one another five times since 1970. The Volunteers enjoy a 3-2 record in the series and won the most recent matchup, a 69-49 victory on Dec. 19, 1995.
Have the Tennessee Volunteers ever won a national championship?
The Tennessee Volunteers have never won a national championship. They have reached as far as the Elite Eight this season, as well as in 2024 and 2010. The program has now reached the Sweet 16 on 11 occasions.
Have the Houston Cougars ever won a national championship?
The Houston Cougars have never won a national championship but were runners-up in consecutive years, in 1983 and 1984. Houston has reached the Final Four six times and the Elite Eight eight times.
March Madness championship odds
Odds to win the men’s NCAA national championship, according to BetMGM odds as of Saturday, March 29. Here’s a full look at the favorites to win the men’s tournament:
Duke (+190)
Florida (+290)
Houston (+525)
Auburn (+550)
Tennessee (+1300)
Michigan State (+2800)
Tennessee toughness fuels Elite Eight berth
The NCAA Tournament has taught us that advantages can come and go in a flash, and seemingly safe leads can vanish in a flurry of baskets. For example, on Thursday night, Texas Tech overcame a 16-point, second-half deficit and beat Arkansas in overtime.
But Kentucky couldn’t make any headway against a Tennessee team that has demonstrated toughness as well as talent in its three consecutive NCAA Tournament wins. The Vols quickly seized a double-figure lead and didn’t loosen their grip on a one-sided game.
And never did anything to remind you how they lost two regular-season games to Kentucky. — John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel
Men’s March Madness bracket: Dates, times, TV, results and scores
All times Eastern
Tuesday, March 18
First Four games
South region: No. 16 Alabama State def. No. 16 St. Francis, 70-68
South region: No. 11 North Carolina def. No. 11 San Diego State, 95-68
Wednesday, March 19
First Four games
East region: No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s def. No. 16 American, 83-72
Midwest region: No. 11 Xavier def. No. 11 Texas, 86-80
Thursday, March 20
Round of 64 games
South region: No. 9 Creighton def. No. 8 Louisville, 89-75
Midwest region: No. 4 Purdue def. No. 13 High Point, 75-63
East region: No. 3 Wisconsin def. No. 14 Montana, 86-66
Midwest region: No. 1 Houston def. No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville, 78-40
South region: No. 1 Auburn def. No. 16 Alabama State, 83-63
Midwest region: No. 12 McNeese State def. No. 5 Clemson, 69-67
East region: No. 6 BYU def. No. 11 VCU, 80-71
Midwest region: No. 8 Gonzaga def. No. 9 Georgia, 89-68
Midwest region: No. 2 Tennessee def. No. 15 Wofford, 77-62
West region: No. 10 Arkansas def. No. 7 Kansas, 79-72
South region: No. 4 Texas A&M def. No. 13 Yale, 80-71
West region: No. 11 Drake def. No. 6 Missouri, 67-57
Midwest region: No. 7 UCLA def. No. 10 Utah State, 72-47
West region: No. 2 St. John’s def. No. 15 Omaha, 83-53
South region: No. 5 Michigan def. No. 12 UC San Diego, 68-65
West region: No. 3 Texas Tech def. No. 14 UNC-Wilmington, 82-72
Friday March 21
Round of 64 games
East region: No. 9 Baylor def. No. 8 Mississippi State, 75-72
East region: No. 2 Alabama def. No. 15 Robert Morris, 90-81
South region: No. 3 Iowa State def. No. 14 Lipscomb, 82-55
West region: No. 12 Colorado State def. No. 5 Memphis, 78-70
East region: No. 1 Duke def. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s, 93-49
East region: No. 7 Saint Mary’s def. No. 10 Vanderbilt, 59-56
South region: No. 6 Ole Miss def. No. 11 North Carolina, 71-64
West region: No. 4 Maryland def. No. 13 Grand Canyon, 81-49
West region: No. 1 Florida def. No. 16 Norfolk State, 95-69
Midwest region: No. 3 Kentucky def. No. 14 Troy, 76-57
South region: No. 10 New Mexico def. No. 7 Marquette, 75-66
East region: No. 4 Arizona def. No. 13 Akron, 93-65
West region: No. 8 UConn def. No. 9 Oklahoma, 67-59
Midwest region: No. 6 Illinois def. No. 11 Xavier, 86-73
South region: No. 2 Michigan State def. No. 15 Bryant, 87-62
East region: No. 5 Oregon def. No. 12 Liberty, 81-52
Saturday, March 22
No. 4 Purdue def. No. 12 McNeese, 76-62
No. 10 Arkansas def. No. 2 St. John’s, 75-66
No. 5 Michigan def. No 4 Texas A&M, 91-79
No. 3 Texas Tech def. No. 11 Drake, 77-64
No. 1 Auburn def. No. 9 Creighton, 82-70
No. 6 BYU def. No. 3 Wisconsin, 91-89
No. 1 Houston def. No. 8 Gonzaga, 81-76
No. 2 Tennessee def. No. 7 UCLA, 67-58
Sunday, March 23
No. 1 Florida def. No. 8 UConn, 77-75
No. 1 Duke def. No. 9 Baylor, 89-66
No. 3 Kentucky def. No. 6 Illinois, 84-75
No. 2 Alabama def. No. 7 Saint Mary’s, 80-66
No. 4 Maryland def. No. 12 Colorado State, 72-71
No. 6 Ole Miss def. No. 3 Iowa State, 91-78
No. 2 Michigan State def. No. 10 New Mexico, 71-63
No. 4 Arizona def. No. 5 Oregon, 87-83
Thursday, March 27
No. 2 Alabama def. No. 6 BYU, 113-88
No. 1 Florida def. No. 4 Maryland, 87-71
No. 1 Duke def. No. 4 Arizona, 100-93
No. 3 Texas Tech def. No. 10 Arkansas, 85-83
Friday, March 28
No. 2 Michigan State def. No. 6 Ole Miss, 73-70
No. 2 Tennessee def. No. 3 Kentucky, 78-65
No. 1 Auburn def. No. 5 Michigan, 78-65
No. 1 Houston def. No. 4 Purdue, 62-60
Saturday, March 29
No. 1 Florida def. No. 3 Texas Tech, 84-79
No. 1 Duke def. No. 2 Alabama 85-65
Sunday, March 30
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 2 Tennessee | 2:20 p.m. | CBS
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 2 Michigan State | 5:05 p.m. | CBS
Saturday, April 5
Final Four
Game 1: 6:09 p.m. on CBS
Game 2: 8:49 p.m. on CBS
Monday, April 7
National championship game: 8:50 p.m. on CBS
When does the Final Four start?
On the men’s side, the Final Four is scheduled for Saturday, April 5. The NCAA championship game will take place two days later on Monday, April 7. All games will played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
For the women, the Final Four will be played on Friday, April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The championship game will be Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at the same venue.