Tennessee makes NCAA Tournament history with 15-point first half vs. Houston in Elite Eight

Tennessee made history during the first half of Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup against Houston — and not in the way they would have hoped. The Volunteers’ 15 points after 20 minutes is the second-fewest in any half by a top-two seed in NCAA Tournament history, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The effort was only greater than that of the 1984 Kentucky Wildcats, who finished the second half against Georgetown with 11 points in a 53-40 loss to the Hoyas. They led 29-22 at the halftime break. For Tennessee just over four decades later, it was the Vols’ first half scoring output which saw them trail the Cougars 34-15.

Of course, the history Tennessee was hoping to make on Sunday was seeing the Volunteers make the first Final Four in program history. It appeared as though momentum had them in position to do just that heading into Sunday after leading Kentucky for nearly 40 minutes during the Sweet 16 on Friday. Ultimately dispatching the Wildcats 78-65, while at the same time Houston barely escaped Purdue, it’s hard not to see Tennessee as the hotter team coming into the game.

However, Houston is known for its defensive intensity and never-ending pressure. Many expected a low-scoring game given Tennessee’s prowess on the defensive side of the ball as well. The line in Vegas was even set under 130 points despite both teams averaging over 70 points per game.

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The Volunteers are looking to advance to their first Final Four in program history with a win on Sunday. Meanwhile, Houston has reached the Final Four six times in its program history, most recently in 2021. Both programs will be hungry to reach that milestone before the weekend is over.

Sunday will be the sixth time in history these two programs will meet. However, this will be the first time these two do battle in March Madness — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tennessee holds the series lead 3-2 all-time, including a two-game win streal.

However, these two teams haven’t even matchup up once this century. The consecutive wins came during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, and the last time Tennessee lost to Houston came all the way back in 1971.

With everything on the line for both programs, only one team can advance through to the Final Four. The winner earns a spot in next weekend’s annual event against Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils.