Tennessee makes Elite Eight
Tennessee beat Iowa State in a hard‑fought Sweet 16 to advance to the Elite Eight — a physical win that relied on defensive stops and timely scoring. The win keeps Tennessee on track as one of the tournament’s more battle‑tested teams this spring. (cbssports.com) (espn.com)
Final score was 76–62 at the United Center in Chicago on March 27, 2026, with attendance listed at 21,508. (espn.com) Nate Ament led Tennessee with 18 points, Ja’Kobi Gillespie added 16, and Felix Okpara finished with a 12‑point, 10‑rebound game that included three blocks. (sportingnews.com) Iowa State’s top scorers were Tamin Lipsey and Nate Heise, who each scored 18 points, and the Cyclones closed the season at 29‑8. (sportingnews.com) Tennessee dominated the glass 43–22 (including 16 offensive rebounds), outscored Iowa State 42–30 in the paint, and posted 17 turnovers to Iowa State’s 11. (espn.com) Iowa State made just 15 of 25 free throws (60.0%), leaving 10 points at the line that night, while Tennessee got a balanced attack with four players finishing in double figures. (sportingnews.com) The result sends Tennessee into its third straight Midwest Regional final, and the Vols are scheduled to face No. 1 seed Michigan in the Elite Eight on March 29 at 2:15 p.m. ET on CBS. (utsports.com)
