Tennessee defeats Kentucky 78-65, advances to Elite Eight

In a historic Sweet 16 matchup, the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 78-65, marking the first NCAA tournament clash between the two SEC rivals. Zakai Zeigler was instrumental in the victory, contributing 18 points and 10 assists, while Chaz Lanier and Jordan Gainey added 17 and 16 points respectively. Tennessee's defense was a key factor, limiting Kentucky to just 6-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc, a stark contrast to their previous success in regular-season encounters. The Vols dominated the rebounding battle and capitalized on second-chance opportunities, scoring 14 more points in that category. This win propels Tennessee to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year, where they will face the winner of the Houston vs. Purdue matchup. Kentucky, which had beaten Tennessee twice during the regular season, ended its season on a disappointing note under first-year head coach Mark Pope.