Vols Dominate Glass, Iowa State to Punch Elite 8 Ticket
For the third consecutive year, a Southeastern Conference team is heading to the Elite Eight, as the Tennessee Volunteers secured a dominant 76-62 victory over the second-seeded Iowa State Cyclones on Friday night. The Vols controlled the game with a commanding performance on the boards and a second-half surge that left Iowa State without answers. This victory continues a strong tournament showing for the SEC, which sent multiple teams to the Sweet 16.
The game plan for Tennessee was clear: exploit their size and athleticism inside. They executed to perfection, outrebounding the Cyclones and limiting their second-chance opportunities. The physical play set the tone early and wore down an Iowa State team that was already missing top forward Joshua Jefferson. After a competitive first half, the Volunteers pulled away, showcasing the defensive intensity and balanced scoring that has been their hallmark all season. Their consistent presence in the tournament's second weekend solidifies their status as one of the nation's premier basketball programs.
With the win, Tennessee now prepares for a high-stakes matchup against the No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines on Sunday for a spot in the Final Four.
Quick Hits
- Alabama's Run Ends: The Alabama Crimson Tide's NCAA Tournament journey came to an end in the Sweet 16 with a 90-77 loss to the Michigan Wolverines. Following the game, head coach Nate Oats referenced former center Charles Bediako in discussing the roster's limitations against a top-tier opponent, a comment that revisited an old topic for the Crimson Tide faithful.
- Kentucky's Scheme Shift: An in-depth look at Kentucky's 2025-26 season revealed just how much the early-season shoulder injury to point guard Jaland Lowe impacted the team's entire offensive structure. The coaching staff explained that the system was specifically designed around the left-handed Lowe, and his absence forced a difficult adjustment for the roster, helping to explain some of the offensive inconsistencies.
- LSU Baseball Walks It Off: The No. 2 LSU Tigers baseball team clinched their series against No. 8 Oklahoma with a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory. A game-winning hit from Larson in the bottom of the ninth inning secured the come-from-behind win in a pivotal conference matchup.
- Florida Softball Wins Thriller: Not to be outdone, the No. 1 ranked Florida Gators softball team also secured a walk-off win in their series opener against No. 15 Texas A&M. Freshman designated player Hannah Wells delivered the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to keep the Gators' stellar season on track.
Portal Watch
There has been no new transfer portal activity to report across the SEC in the last 12 hours. Rosters remain stable as teams conclude their postseason runs.
Recruiting Buzz
No new commitments have been announced for SEC football or basketball programs in the last 12 hours.
Games to Watch: Saturday, March 28
The SEC takes center stage on the diamond today with a full slate of crucial baseball and softball series.
NCAAM Tournament - Elite 8:
- (9) Iowa vs. (3) Illinois - 5:09 PM CT (TBS)
- (2) Purdue vs. (1) Arizona - 7:49 PM CT (TBS)
SEC Baseball:
- Tennessee at Vanderbilt - 1:00 PM CT (SEC Network)
- Mississippi State at Ole Miss - 1:30 PM CT (SECN+)
- Kentucky at LSU - 2:00 PM CT (SECN+)
- Auburn at Alabama - 7:00 PM CT (SEC Network)
SEC Softball: