Kentucky won the first two meetings this season, but Tennessee won the third and most important one, and now the Volunteers are rewarded with a trip to the Elite Eight of the men’s NCAA Tournament. Tennessee scored five points in seven seconds. After a Felix Okpara dunk, Chaz Lanier stole the pass and gave it […]
Kentucky won the first two meetings this season, but Tennessee won the third and most important one, and now the Volunteers are rewarded with a trip to the Elite Eight of the men’s NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee scored five points in seven seconds. After a Felix Okpara dunk, Chaz Lanier stole the pass and gave it to Zeigler, who knocked down a 3-pointer. The Tennessee crowd went crazy and Kentucky coach Mark Pope called a timeout.BRACKET PREDICTIONS: Expert picks for men’s NCAA TournamentThe 3-point shot is working for Tennessee with three buckets from downtown to fuel a 10-3 run. Tennessee took a 10 point lead eight minutes into the game.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee men’s basketball score
Tennessee now heads to its second consecutive Elite Eight, and Rick Barnes’ team will have another chance to get the program’s first Final Four trip.
Jahmai Mashack, G Tennessee vs. Kentucky highlightsNo. 2 seed Tennessee beat No. 3 seed Kentucky 78-65. Watch the video for best action from the game.
Zakai Zeigler points today
USA TODAY Sports followed the top moments from Friday’s game:
Amari Williams points today
Williams has 11 points for Kentucky. He was much of the Wildcat offense in the first half, and teammate Lamont Butler has 15 points.
Quick sequence extends Tennessee lead
The early lead for Tennessee can be attributed to the early dominance on the boards. Tennessee is out rebounding Kentucky 13-6 so far. Six of Tennessee’s rebounds have come on the offensive end, leading to nine second-chance points.
Chaz Lanier taking over in second half
Otega Oweh, G
Andrew Carr with big slam
Kentucky vs. Tennessee halftime score
Chaz Lanier, G
Tennessee run extends lead
The Volunteers are clicking with an 8-0 run to take a commanding 19-point lead with just under three minutes left in the first half. Meanwhile, Kentucky has missed its last seven shot attempts and hasn’t scored in more than three minutes.
How tall is Zakai Zeigler?
Igor Milicic Jr., F
Tennessee controlling rebounds
Kentucky is trying to cut the deficit and Carr is doing his part. He had a major dunk early in the second half.
3-pointers give Tennessee early lead
The first NCAA Tournament game between the Wildcats and Volunteers has tipped off. After both teams went scoreless in the first 90 seconds, Volunteers forward Igor Milicic Jr. hit two free throws to get the scoring started.
Peyton Manning at Tennessee Sweet 16 game
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. at the same venue.
Tennesse vs. Kentucky underway
Odds to win the men’s NCAA national championship, according to BetMGM odds as of Friday, March 28. Here’s a full look at the favorites to win the men’s tournament:
Tennessee starting lineup
Three of our four experts are expecting Tennessee to continue dancing into the Elite Eight. Only USA TODAY’s Craig Meyer is predicting Kentucky to win and advance. However, AZ Central’s Jeremy Cluff and Louisville Courier Journal’s Ryan Black are both taking Kentucky to cover the 4.5-point spread. That leaves Knoxville News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson as the lone wolf laying the points with the Volunteers. Meyer and Wilson are taking the under 144.5-point total, while Cluff and Black are on the over. — Nick BrinkerhoffMen’s NCAA Tournament games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, and TruTV channels. You can also watch Sweet 16 action via these streaming options: Max and Sling for games carried on TNT, TBS, TruTV. Games carried on CBS are available on Fubo, which offers a free trial subscription to new users.The Tennessee Volunteers are favorites to beat the Kentucky Wildcats, according to BetMGM odds as of Friday, March 28.Both teams have looked great so far in the tournament, but Tennessee’s defense appears to have reached another gear in hopes of clinching its first Final Four spot. As for Kentucky, it’s hard to beat a team twice, but it’s a greater challenge to do it three times in one season. The Volunteers’ defense tightens up and finally gets the best of Kentucky to advance to the Elite Eight. — Jordan MendozaBOLD PREDICTIONS: Who keeps rolling Sweet 16, Elite Eight?
Kentucky starting lineup
Amari Williams, FAndrew Carr, FFull bracketLamont Butler, GUSA TODAY experts set their predictions ahead of the men’s NCAA Tournament. Here is who they picked before the madness.
What time is Kentucky vs. Tennessee basketball today?
Ziegler leads Tennessee with a game-high 18 points. He also has nine assists and a rebound. He set the single-season SEC record with his dimes Friday.
Where to watch Kentucky vs. Tennessee: TV, streaming coverage
- TV channels: TBS and TruTV
- Live stream: Max and Sling
Watch March Madness with Sling
What channel is March Madness on?
Koby Brea, GWatch March Madness games on CBS with Fubo
Kentucky vs. Tennessee odds and betting line
NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Join USA Today’s Survivor Pool sweepstakes for a shot at million prize
- Spread: Tennessee (-4.5)
- Moneyline: Tennessee (-210); Kentucky (+170)
- O/U: 144.5
Kentucky vs. Tennessee predictions and picks
After a quiet first half with six points, Lanier has found a rhythm in the second half to keep the Volunteers in front. He is 4-for-7 from the field out of halftime and now has 15 points.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee all-time head-to-head record, history
Tennessee wins 78-65. Kentucky’s offense has improved, but Tennessee continued to knock down shots to maintain a big lead.
Kentucky Wildcats national championships
Zeigler is 5-foot-9-inches, the shortest player on Tennessee.
Have the Tennessee Volunteers won a national championship?
Zakai Ziegler led all scorers with 18 points, while Tennessee teammate Chaz Lanier added 17 points. Jordan Gainey also has 16 points. Kentucky’s leading scorer was Lamont Butler with 18 points.
March Madness championship odds
Tennessee leads 43-28 at halftime. The Volunteer offense shook off a slow start and were on fire for a majority of the first half, getting offensive rebounds to convert into second-chance points while Kentucky struggled to get buckets. Tennessee led by as many as 19 points, but the Wildcats cut the deficit before the end of the half.
- Duke (+180)
- Florida (+275)
- Houston (+550)
- Auburn (+575)
- Alabama (+1200)
- Tennessee (+2000)
- Texas Tech (+2200)
- Michigan State (+2500)
- Kentucky (+8000)
- Michigan (+9000)
- Ole Miss (+10000)
- Purdue (+12500)
Tennessee looks primed for win over Kentucky
March Madness 2025 expert predictions
Zakai Zeigler, G
Jordan Mendoza
Felix Okpara, C
- Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Houston
- National champion: Houston
The Kentucky Wildcats have won eight national championships, with their most recent coming in 2012. They have appeared in the finals 12 times and the Final Four 17 times.
Paul Myerberg
No. 2 seeded Tennessee finally got the best of No. 3 seeded Kentucky as a hot first half propelled the Volunteers past the Wildcats 78-65 for the win in the Sweet 16. Tennessee led nearly the entire contest, and the lead was in double-digits for the entire second half. Zakai Zeigler has been the leader for Tennessee all season, and the 5-foot-9-inch guard did it again Friday night with 18 points and nine assists.
- Final Four: Auburn, St. John’s, Duke, Tennessee
- Final: Auburn vs. Duke
- National champion: Duke
Eddie Timanus
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, Texas.
- Final Four: Auburn, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Duke
- National champion: Florida
Dan Wolken
March Madness continues Friday with the Sweet 16 matchup between the No. 3 seeded Kentucky Wildcats and the No. 2 seeded Tennessee Volunteers. The action kicks off at 7:39 p.m. ET
- Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Duke
- National champion: Duke
The Tennessee Volunteers have never won a men’s national championship. They have advanced as far as the Elite Eight twice (2010, 2024). The program also claims 11 Sweet 16 appearances.
When does the Final Four start?
The Kentucky Wildcats hold a 163-78 series record over the Tennessee Volunteers. The most recent matchup saw Kentucky beat Tennessee 75-64 on Feb. 11, 2025.Rocky Top royalty is inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Super Bowl-winning quarterback and former Volunteer Peyton Manning was shown on the broadcast.
