Tennessee basketball now knows what stands between it and the Elite Eight.
The 2-seed Vols will face off with 3-seed Kentucky on Friday in Indianapolis in the Sweet 16.
This is Tennessee's 11th appearance in the round with a trip to a third Elite Eight on the line.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
Tip-off information
Tip-off time: TBD
TV designation: TBD
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana (Lucas Oil Stadium)
Tennessee's path
Tennessee opened its run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament with a win over 15-seed Wofford on Thursday. The Vols pulled away from the Terriers to win 77-62 in Lexington, Kentucky.
The leading scorer for Tennessee was Chaz Lanier. The first-year transfer out of North Florida dropped 29 points on 11-for-22 shooting from the field and 6-for-13 shooting on 3-pointers. This was the third-most points ever scored by a Vol in an NCAA Tournament game and most in a win during the tournament.
This pushed Tennessee to a fourth-straight Round of 32 berth. In that round, the Vols matched up with 7-seed UCLA. Tennessee survived, again, this time 67-58.
Leading the way was Lanier. He produced 20 points while knocking down four threes. This pushed him into first place for most threes made in a single season by a Tennessee player.
Kentucky's path
Kentucky opened the NCAA Tournament with a game against 14-seed Troy in Milwaukee. The Wildcats won the matchup 76-57 behind a strong showing by Otega Oweh. He dropped 20 points in the game while grabbing eight rebounds and passing for six assists.
The next game saw Kentucky meet 6-seed Illinois. The Wildcats held off the Fighting Illini with an 84-75 win. They were led by Koby Brea who dropped 23 points in the game.
Last time they played
This won't be the first time Tennessee has met Kentucky. The pair of teams played twice in the regular season with the Vols dropping both games.
The first saw the Wildcats head to Tennessee. Kentucky won the game 78-73 with all five starters scoring in double figures. The Vols were led by Igor Milicic Jr. who scored 19 points.
The next meeting was in Lexington. The Wildcats won that matchup 75-64 behind another balanced effort. Tennessee got 17 points from Zeigler and 16 from Milicic.
About the Wildcats
KenPom:
- 24-11, 6th in SEC
- Net Rating: No. 17
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: No. 11
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: No. 54
- Adjusted Tempo: No. 24
Stats:
- Leading Scorer: Otega Oweh - 16.4 pts
- Leading Rebounder: Amari Williams - 8.6 reb
- Leading Assister: Lamont Bulter - 4.3 ast
– TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM.
– ENJOY VOLREPORT WITH A PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION.
– SUBSCRIBE TO THE VOLREPORT YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
– FOLLOW VOLREPORT ON TWITTER: @TennesseeRivals, @ByNoahTaylor, @RyanTSylvia, @Dale_Dowden, @ShayneP_Media.
