Should the NCAA transfer portal open before the end of March Madness?
Rick Pitino, John Calipari and even J.J. Watt sound off on the transfer portal opening during the NCAA Tournament.
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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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zeigler is 5-foot-9-inches, the shortest player on Tennessee.
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.
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.
Rocky Top royalty is inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Super Bowl-winning quarterback and former Volunteer Peyton Manning was shown on the broadcast.
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.
Chaz Lanier, G
Zakai Zeigler, G
Jahmai Mashack, G
Igor Milicic Jr., F
Felix Okpara, C
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
Watch March Madness with Sling
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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)
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?
USA TODAY experts set their predictions ahead of the men’s NCAA Tournament. Here is who they picked before the madness.
Jordan Mendoza
Full bracket
- Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Houston
- National champion: Houston
NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Join USA Today’s Survivor Pool sweepstakes for a shot at $1 million prize
Paul Myerberg
Full bracket
- Final Four: Auburn, St. John’s, Duke, Tennessee
- Final: Auburn vs. Duke
- National champion: Duke
Eddie Timanus
Full bracket
- Final Four: Auburn, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Duke
- National champion: Florida
Dan Wolken
Full bracket
- Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
- Final: Florida vs. Duke
- National champion: Duke
BRACKET PREDICTIONS: Expert picks for men’s NCAA Tournament
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.
