The No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers have dreams of dancing into the Final Four, but will have to make it past the No. 1 Houston Cougars on Sunday in the final day of the Elite Eight in the men’s NCAA Tournament.
March Madness is nearing its final salvo with a few more flourishes in store. Houston has looked somewhat mortal in the tournament. After slicing through SIU Edwardsville in the first round, it staved off a comeback from Gonzaga in the second round, 81-76. The Cougars then needed late heroics from Milos Uzan to get past Purdue in the Sweet 16.
For Tennessee, things have been relatively drama-free. Its most recent win, a 78-65 takedown of Kentucky, showcased this squad’s prowess on defense.
Follow along live for bracket updates, scores, highlights and how to watch Sunday’s action:
Tennessee 0-8 on three-pointers
It’s been a rough go for Tennessee. Although the Volunteers were finally able to get an easy dunk nearly ten minutes into the game, they have already fallen behind by double-digit points thanks to Houston’s elite interior defense.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
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 ten minutes left in the first half.
Houston on 9-2 run to start game
It’s been a tough start for Tennessee, who’ve 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 three-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 three-pointer from LJ 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)
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
Wednesday, March 19
First Four games
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
Sunday, March 23
Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
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.
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