INDIANAPOLIS — Chaz Lanier was still trying to get up.

After driving to the basket and scoring, Lanier crashed to the floor and was lifting himself up as Brandon Garrison was in-bounding the ball. Lanier got a hand on the pass, changing its direction into a void around mid-court.

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Zakai Zeigler picked it up and uncorked a 3-pointer that rattled in. Tennessee's lead was 17 and the 2-seed Vols were unleashing all kinds of frustrations on 3-seed Kentucky on their way to a convincing 78-65 triumph at Lucas Oil Stadium Friday.

Tennessee (30-7) will now play for its third-ever Elite Eight and second-straight on Sunday in Indianapolis.

The Vols got there in a most satisfying way, dominating the Wildcats (24-12), who handed them losses in both regular season meetings. This one mattered more, and Tennessee savored every minute of it.

Zeigler finished with 18 points, while Lanier scored 17 and Jordan Gainey totaled 16 as the Vols shot 50.9% from the field.

Tennessee out-rebounded Kentucky, 34-24 and out-scored it in second chance points, 19-6, out-toughing the Wildcats in nearly every facet. Felix Okpara was masterful in the paint, pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with 8 points.

Tennessee was just 2-of-8 from the field in the first four minutes, but led 7-4 at the first media timeout.

Zakai Zeigler's and-1 on a drive to the basket was the difference and the Vols' defense had only allowed one made shot from the field, forcing Kentucky into a 1-of-4 start.

Koby Brea made that shot, a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats the lead a little more than two minutes in. Kentucky went the next four-plus minutes without scoring while the Vols rattled off a 6-0 run that included a corner three from Zeigler.

Lamont Butler ended the scoring drought for Kentucky with a 3-pointer, but Tennessee answered back. Jordan Gainey laced a three and Darlinstone Dubar knocked one down from deep and the Vols lead was 10 at 17-7.

Jahmai Mashack robbed the Wildcats of a few possessions and created more for the Vols with two steals around midcourt, but Amari Williams tried to lead a Kentucky push with scores on two-straight possessions to trim its deficit to 21-13 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Otega Oweh free throws again cut into the Tennessee lead, but the Vols responded again with their defense. It translated to a Zeigler lob to Felix Okpara, who finished with a dunk. Lanier followed with a layup and was fouled going up for it. His free throw pushed the lead to 26-15.

A stretch where the Vols hit six of eight field goals that included one luck tip-in credited to Dubar and a Cade Phillips' and-1 swelled Tennessee's lead to 35-20, and whatever momentum the Wildcats began the game with felt long gone with 4:38 to go before halftime.

Even when the Vols missed a shot, things went their way. Zeigler fired off a three that missed high off the rim. He grabbed his own rebound and the possession ended in a turnaround jumper from Mashack for a 39-20 advantage.

Tennessee cooled off a bit near the end of the half, going two minutes without a score before Gainey and Zeigler made shots in the final minute. Kentucky recorded three-straight field goals, with Collin Chandler making a deep three just before the buzzer to bring the score to 43-28 at the intermission.

The Vols continued to frustrate the Wildcats on the defensive end in the early-going of the second half, and Igor Milicic Jr. scored 4 of Tennessee's first 6 points to add to its lead at 49-34 with 15:08 left.

Lanier laced a jumper and Gainey paid off an offensive rebound from Phillips with a jumper.

Kentucky pulled within 13 after Oweh poked the ball away from Phillips and scored in transition. Lanier scored on a put-back in response and the Vols' lead was 55-40 as the clock ticked inside of 12 minutes.

Lanier was a force, one that the Wildcats had no answer for over the last 20 minutes. He followed up another drive and score with the pass deflection that led to Zeigler's knockout blow 3-pointer with 8:26 remaining.

Tennessee will play for a spot in its first Final Four for the second year.

The Vols will match with the winner of 1-seed Houston and 4-seed Purdue, who face off in the nightcap at Lucas Oil Stadium later tonight.

Tennessee lost to the Boilermakers in the Elite Eight in Detroit last season.

A tip-off time and network designation has not been announced.

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