Should be a good one on Sunday.
For the second straight season, Tennessee is headed to the Elite Eight. The Volunteers ran away with their showdown against Kentucky on Friday night, taking control early on and never looking back.
Tennessee had that look to them, completely locked in defensively and on the boards. Monster shots from Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey shut down any potential Kentucky run. Felix Okpara’s work in the rebounding department, particularly his seven offensive rebounds, might have been the difference in the game.
The Volunteers move on to face Houston, who held on for dear life to beat Purdue. The Boilermakers came storming back late, but a nifty in-bounds play gave the Cougars the edge with under a second to play.
So it’s a No. 1 vs. No. 2 game in the Midwest — shockingly the third 1-2 matchup of the Elite Eight. Tennessee will be trying to (mildly) bust up some chalk in what has been one of the chalkiest NCAA Tournaments of all time.
Houston has opened as a 3.5 point favorite in Sunday’s matchup, according to Fanduel Sportsbook. The total sits at a measly 123.5, which should tell you all you need to know about this game.
These teams are mirror images of each other, and this is going to be an absolute dog fight.
Both teams are defense first and truly elite in that category. Houston ranks first in the country with 58 points allowed. Tennessee ranks eighth in the country with 62 points allowed. Both teams are top 40 nationally in rebound margin. Houston ranks third overall in KenPom while Tennessee ranks fifth. The Cougars are KenPom’s top defense while the Volunteers are their third.
You get the picture.
Both sides also have three guards that can fill up a statsheet. Houston will counter Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey with LJ Cryer, Emmanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan. Felix Okpara will have his hands full down low with standout power forward J’Wan Roberts.
It’s going to be a physical one, it might be a rock fight, but it should be fun.
Tip-off is set for 2:20 p.m. ET on CBS.