- What: NCAA Men’s Elite 8 Game
- When: March 30, 2025
- Who: Tennessee vs. Houston
- Time: 11:20 p.m. PST
- Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
The Midwest Region championship and a spot in the Final Four are on the line Sunday as the second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers face the top-seeded Houston Cougars in the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee advanced by defeating Kentucky 78-65, while Houston edged Purdue 62-60.
The Volunteers (30-7) are in the Elite Eight for the second straight year and have never reached the Final Four. The Cougars (33-4) are looking for their seventh Final Four appearance, with their last in 2021.
Tennessee leads the all-time series 3-2, thanks to a 69-49 victory in their last matchup in 1995.
Tennessee
Coach Rick Barnes and his Tennessee Volunteers have reached the Elite Eight for the second straight year, overcoming #15 Wofford (77-62), #7 UCLA (67-58), and #3 Kentucky (78-65).
Tennessee averages 74.7 points per game (120th nationally), hitting 45.6% of field goals (100th) and 34.3% of three-pointers (153rd). They rank fifth in the KenPom ratings.
Chaz Lanier leads the scoring with 18.0 points per game, while Zakai Zeigler adds 13.9 points, along with team-highs in assists (7.5 APG) and steals (1.9 SPG). Igor Milicic Jr. contributes 9.6 points and grabs a team-leading 6.7 rebounds per game.
Houston
Coach Kelvin Sampson and his Houston Cougars have reached the Elite Eight for the sixth consecutive year, boasting a 33-4 record.
They’ve secured tournament victories over #16 SIUE (78-40), #8 Gonzaga (81-76), and #4 Purdue (62-60) and are currently riding a 16-game winning streak.
The Cougars average 74.2 points per game (131st nationally), shoot 45.5% from the field (106th nationally), and lead the nation with 39.8% from three-point range. They sit at third in the KenPom ratings.
L.J. Cryer leads the team with 15.3 points per game, while Milos Uzan has stepped up during the tournament, averaging 15.0 points per game and scoring 22 points against Purdue.
Tennessee-Houston Best Bet
Houston leads the nation in three-point shooting at 39.8%. If they perform well from beyond the arc, they can win comfortably.
Tennessee’s improved offense will face a tough challenge against Houston’s top-ranked defense, which allows only 88.0 points per 100 possessions. A solid defensive effort and average shooting should help the Cougars cover the spread.
Best Bet: Houston Cougars Money Line at -155 odds
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
