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Fast-Break: Tennessee advances to Elite Eight with suffocating win over Kentucky

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•03/28/25•

Brent_Hubbs

Tennessee Fast Break
Credit: On3 Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — For just the third time in school history, the Tennessee basketball team is heading to the Elite Eight and for the first time, the Vols are doing it in back to back years. Tennessee punched their Elite Eight Tennessee with a dominating 78-65 win over Kentucky. 

Tennessee led by 15 at the half. That lead was only cut to 12 twice in the second half and Kentucky never got into an offensive flow. Tennessee’s transition defense was great and their half court defense was elite. 

Offensively, the never had a lull. Tennessee’s longest scoring drought of the second half was 2:10 seconds.

The result was a comfortable win. 

Kentucky who made 12 of 24 three point shots in the first two meetings was only 6 of 15. Tennessee simply didn’t allow them to have clean looks. 

The other key was rebounding and Tennessee dominated the glass. The Vols out rebounded Kentucky by 10. Tennessee had 14 offensive rebounds and 19 second chance points. 

Zakai Zeigler who became the single season SEC assist record holder had a double double leading the team with 18 points and 10 assists. Chaz Lanier had 17 points and Jordan Gainey had 16 as the Vols sixth man. Guard play in March is always important. Felix Okpara had 8 points and 11 rebounds. Seven of his 11 board were offensive rebounds. The Vols had 17 assists on 29 made baskets. They had 8 turnovers and 8 steals.

The win moves Tennessee to 30-7. It’s the second 30 win season in the Rick Barnes era and it’s only the third time it’s happened in school history. Barnes is now 12-6 in NCAA Tournament games as the Vols head coach. Sunday will be his 5th Elite Eight game of his coaching career. 

For more on the Vols second straight trip to the Elite Eight, Rob Lewis and Grant Ramey have the Fast Break.

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