Kentucky or Illinois? Tennessee will have familiar opponent in Sweet 16

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Tennessee basketball proved it could win at Rupp Arena in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Next, it might have to prove it can beat Rupp Arena’s home team.

That might present a greater challenge than what the Vols encountered in an impressive 67-58 second-round victory over UCLA on Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky.

Or maybe, the Vols will avoid tangling with their longtime SEC rival. Third-seeded Kentucky, which beat UT twice during the regular season, will have to get past Illinois in a second-round game Sunday to create a Tennessee-Kentucky matchup in the Sweet 16.

Not only did No. 2 seed Tennessee (29-7) advance to the tournament’s second weekend with the victory over No. 7 seed UCLA (23-11). It moved within one game of a second 30-win season under coach Rick Barnes.

The game between a pair of defensive-minded teams unfolded as expected in the early going. The Vols finally managed separation when they ran off eight consecutive points to close out the first half with a 32-25 lead. A Chaz Lanier steal, which he converted into a three-point play, highlighted UT’s surge.

As good as UCLA’s defense has been at times this season, it struggled terribly keeping up with Lanier. He reached the 20-point mark early in the second half. By then, he also had broken Chris Lofton’s school record for 3-pointers.

Lanier, who scored 29 points in the first-round victory over Wofford, has been at his best in the tournament, an encouraging sign for the Vols, whose March Madness failures under Barnes usually have been related to offensive shortcomings.

They had more offense than coach Mick Cronin’s Bruins could handle – and more defense, too.

Tennessee joined two other top-four Midwest Regional seeds in reaching the Sweet 16. No. 1 seed Houston started fast against Gonzaga and held on for an 81-76 victory. Fourth-seeded Purdue cruised past McNeese 76-62 into the Sweet 16. No 3 Kentucky can make it four-for-four by turning back No. 6 Illinois on Sunday.

The Vols are assured of a…

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Source link : https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2025/03/23/tennessee-basketball-kentucky-illinois-march-madness-sweet-16/82501110007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-23 04:38:00

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