Houston vs. Tennessee live updates: Elite 8 score as Cougars battle Volunteers

The No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers have dreams of dancing into the Final Four, but they 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:

Full-court press leads to 5-point swing for Volunteers

It’s been a slow start to the second half for both offenses. However, after a foul down low gave Tennessee two free throws, the Volunteers were able to apply significant pressure to the Cougars and force a rushed shot on the defensive end. That led to a 5-v-4 fast break for Tennessee that resulted in a triple, just their second of the game.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

While Houston was able to answer quickly with an and-1 on the other end, Tennessee’s aggressiveness to start the second half seems to be serving them much better than their game plan during the first 20 minutes.

Houston is up 38-20.

Halftime: Houston 34, Tennessee 15

In every aspect of this game, Tennessee has been dominated. Rebounding, Houston leads 26-17, epitomized by its final possession when Tennessee forced a stop and would’ve had a few seconds to get a last-second shot off if Houston had not grabbed the offensive board.

With Tennessee shooting 21% from the floor, Houston does not need to do much to secure the win. That said, the Volunteers can only improve in the second half, and they obviously have the talent to make the Cougars sweat if they can go on a decent run.

Tennessee hits a 3-pointer, HUZZAH!

With just over 30 seconds left in the first half, Tennessee finally hit its first 3-pointer of the game. Zakai Zeigler was the one to end the stretch, with the Volunteers now shooting 1-of-15 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for Tennessee, it still trails by 19. It’s 34-15 Cougars and each team will only have one more possession in the first half.

It’s been all Houston

I’d like to say that any time Tennessee starts to get something going, Houston stops the Volunteers in their tracks. But in reality the Volunteers have not been able to get anything going at all. Houston hasn’t needed to stop Tennessee’s momentum because it hasn’t built any to begin with.

As has been the case all game, Tennessee has not been able to find any offense in the paint. Any move into the center of the court is met with big bodies and arms in the face of potential shooters. The Volunteers have had to rely on goaltending and fouls to get their points. They’ve been even worse on the perimeter, though. Tennessee is not a great 3-point shooting team, but it is ice cold even on open looks, going 0-for-14 from deep.

At this rate, Houston only needs to continue playing its game. While relying on such a cold shooting streak is a recipe for disaster, the Cougars are already so far ahead that it would take an enormous second half for them to blow this one.

Tennessee 0-8 on 3-pointers

It’s been a rough go for Tennessee. Although the Volunteers were finally able to get an easy dunk nearly 10 minutes into the game, they have already fallen behind by double-digit points thanks to Houston’s elite interior defense.

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 10 minutes left in the first half.

Houston on 9-2 run to start game

It’s been a tough start for Tennessee, who has 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 3-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 3-pointer from L.J. 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)

Watch March Madness with Fubo

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