Tennessee faced off against Creighton in the Sweet 16 matchup, with Creighton leading 35-34 at halftime. However, Tennessee’s defense and 3-point shooting helped them go on an 18-0 run in the second half, turning the game in their favor. Creighton struggled to find an answer for Tennessee’s aggressive defense, leading to a 16-point lead for the Vols. Creighton managed to cut the deficit to three points with a zone defense, but Tennessee ultimately closed out the game with a 17-13 run to secure an 82-75 win.
Dalton Knecht led the way for Tennessee with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block without any turnovers. Zakai Zeigler contributed 18 points and six assists with just one turnover, while Josiah-Jordan James added 17 points. Despite a strong performance from Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman, who put up 25 points, the Bluejays struggled to match Tennessee’s efficiency and ball security. Creighton shot 47.8% from beyond the arc, but Tennessee’s 3-point shooting combined with their low number of turnovers proved to be the difference.
Tennessee’s ability to protect the ball and create more shot opportunities gave them the edge over Creighton. The Vols committed only four turnovers compared to Creighton’s nine, allowing them to take nine more shots from the floor. This, along with their 45.8% shooting from 3-point range, helped Tennessee secure the win and advance to the Elite Eight. The victory marks only the second Elite Eight berth in program history for Tennessee, with their last appearance in 2010.
The win sets up a matchup between Tennessee, the second seed, and Purdue, the top seed in the Midwest regional final. Purdue boasts an elite offense, ranking third in adjusted offensive efficiency, while Tennessee’s strong defense will aim to hold them off. It will be a showdown between two highly skilled teams, with Tennessee looking to continue their tournament run and reach the Final Four. The Vols will rely on their defensive prowess and efficient offense to try and secure a spot in the next round.
The game showcased Tennessee’s ability to make crucial plays under pressure, with key contributions from Knecht, Zeigler, and James leading the way. Despite a late push from Creighton, the Vols were able to weather the storm and come out on top. With momentum on their side, Tennessee will look to carry their success into the Elite Eight matchup against Purdue and continue their quest for a national championship. The team’s solid performance on both ends of the court has earned them a well-deserved spot among the top teams in the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the next round.
