Familiar foes are facing off in the Sweet 16 with No. 2 seed Tennessee vs. No. 3 seed Kentucky in a Midwest Regional semifinal.
It’s rare to face a team one has played this season in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s even more unique when it’s a matchup of teams that played twice already. Kentucky goes into Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium 2-0 against Tennessee this season.
Both teams have looked strong so far in the tournament, and Tennessee will try to finally get the best of the Wildcats to advance to its second consecutive Elite Eight. On the other hand, Mark Pope and Kentucky try to continue their impressive season with another win over its SEC rival.
Follow along live for bracket updates, scores, highlights and more from Friday’s action:
Kentucky vs. Tennessee halftime score
Tennessee leads 43-28 at halftime. The Volunteer offense shook off a slow start and were on fire for a majority of the first half, getting offensive rebounds to convert into second-chance points while Kentucky struggled to get buckets. Tennessee led by as many as 19 points, but the Wildcats cut the deficit before the end of the half.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Zakai Zeigler points today
Ziegler leads Tennessee with a game-high 13 points after the first half. He also has three assists and a rebound. He set the single season SEC record with his dimes Friday.
Amari Williams points today
Williams has nine points for Kentucky. He’s been much of the Wildcat offense with 4-for-5 mark in the first half while the rest of the team went 6-for-21.
Tennessee run extends lead
The Volunteers are clicking with an 8-0 run to take a commanding 19-point lead with just under three minutes left in the first half. Meanwhile, Kentucky has missed its last seven shot attempts and hasn’t scored in more than three minutes.
How tall is Zakai Zeigler?
Zeigler is 5-foot-9-inches, the shortest player on Tennessee.
Tennessee controlling rebounds
The early lead for Tennessee can be attributed to the early dominance on the boards. Tennessee is out rebounding Kentucky 13-6 so far. Six of Tennessee’s rebounds have come on the offensive end, leading to nine second-chance points.
3-pointers give Tennessee early lead
The 3-point shot is working for Tennessee with three buckets from downtown to fuel a 10-3 run. Tennessee took a 10 point lead eight minutes into the game.
Peyton Manning at Tennessee Sweet 16 game
Rocky Top royalty is inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Super Bowl-winning quarterback and former Volunteer Peyton Manning was shown on the broadcast.
Tennesse vs. Kentucky underway
The first NCAA Tournament game between the Wildcats and Volunteers has tipped off. After both teams went scoreless in the first 90 seconds, Volunteers forward Igor Milicic Jr. hit two free throws to get the scoring started.
Tennessee starting lineup
Chaz Lanier, G
Zakai Zeigler, G
Jahmai Mashack, G
Igor Milicic Jr., F
Felix Okpara, C
Kentucky starting lineup
Otega Oweh, G
Lamont Butler, G
Koby Brea, G
Andrew Carr, F
Amari Williams, F
What time is Kentucky vs. Tennessee basketball today?
March Madness continues Friday with the Sweet 16 matchup between the No. 3 seeded Kentucky Wildcats and the No. 2 seeded Tennessee Volunteers. The action kicks off at 7:39 p.m. ET
Where to watch Kentucky vs. Tennessee: TV, streaming coverage
- TV channels: TBS and TruTV
- Live stream: Max and Sling
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What channel is March Madness on?
Men’s NCAA Tournament games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, and TruTV channels. You can also watch Sweet 16 action via these streaming options: Max and Sling for games carried on TNT, TBS, TruTV. Games carried on CBS are available on Fubo, which offers a free trial subscription to new users.
Watch March Madness games on CBS with Fubo
Kentucky vs. Tennessee odds and betting line
The Tennessee Volunteers are favorites to beat the Kentucky Wildcats, according to BetMGM odds as of Friday, March 28.
- Spread: Tennessee (-4.5)
- Moneyline: Tennessee (-210); Kentucky (+170)
- O/U: 144.5
Kentucky vs. Tennessee predictions and picks
Three of our four experts are expecting Tennessee to continue dancing into the Elite Eight. Only USA TODAY’s Craig Meyer is predicting Kentucky to win and advance. However, AZ Central’s Jeremy Cluff and Louisville Courier Journal’s Ryan Black are both taking Kentucky to cover the 4.5-point spread. That leaves Knoxville News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson as the lone wolf laying the points with the Volunteers. Meyer and Wilson are taking the under 144.5-point total, while Cluff and Black are on the over. — Nick Brinkerhoff
Kentucky vs. Tennessee all-time head-to-head record, history
The Kentucky Wildcats hold a 163-78 series record over the Tennessee Volunteers. The most recent matchup saw Kentucky beat Tennessee 75-64 on Feb. 11, 2025.
Kentucky Wildcats national championships
The Kentucky Wildcats have won eight national championships, with their most recent coming in 2012. They have appeared in the finals 12 times and the Final Four 17 times.
Have the Tennessee Volunteers won a national championship?
The Tennessee Volunteers have never won a men’s national championship. They have advanced as far as the Elite Eight twice (2010, 2024). The program also claims 11 Sweet 16 appearances.
March Madness championship odds
Odds to win the men’s NCAA national championship, according to BetMGM odds as of Friday, March 28. Here’s a full look at the favorites to win the men’s tournament:
- Duke (+180)
- Florida (+275)
- Houston (+550)
- Auburn (+575)
- Alabama (+1200)
- Tennessee (+2000)
- Texas Tech (+2200)
- Michigan State (+2500)
- Kentucky (+8000)
- Michigan (+9000)
- Ole Miss (+10000)
- Purdue (+12500)
Tennessee looks primed for win over Kentucky
Both teams have looked great so far in the tournament, but Tennessee’s defense appears to have reached another gear in hopes of clinching its first Final Four spot. As for Kentucky, it’s hard to beat a team twice, but it’s a greater challenge to do it three times in one season. The Volunteers’ defense tightens up and finally gets the best of Kentucky to advance to the Elite Eight. — Jordan Mendoza
BOLD PREDICTIONS: Who keeps rolling Sweet 16, Elite Eight?
March Madness 2025 expert predictions
USA TODAY experts set their predictions ahead of the men’s NCAA Tournament. Here is who they picked before the madness.
Jordan Mendoza
- Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Houston
- National champion: Houston
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Paul Myerberg
- Final Four: Auburn, St. John’s, Duke, Tennessee
- Final: Auburn vs. Duke
- National champion: Duke
Eddie Timanus
- Final Four: Auburn, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Duke
- National champion: Florida
Dan Wolken
- Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Duke
- National champion: Duke
BRACKET PREDICTIONS: Expert picks for men’s NCAA Tournament
When does the Final Four start?
On the men’s side, the Final Four is scheduled for Saturday, April 5. The NCAA championship game will take place two days later on Monday, April 7.All games will played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
For the women, the Final Four will be played on Friday, April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The championship game will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at the same venue.
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