DETROIT − Tennessee basketball is in pursuit of the program's first Elite Eight since 2010 and the second in program history.
No. 2-seeded Tennessee (26-8) plays against No. 3 seed Creighton (25-9) on Friday (10:15 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV) in the Sweet 16 of March Madness.
UT is in the Sweet 16 for the third time in nine seasons under coach Rick Barnes, who was hired in April 2015. It reached the same round last season in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, but lost to Florida Atlantic.
Tennessee basketball vs. Creighton live score updates in Sweet 16 game
FINAL: Tennessee is Elite!
The Vols are headed to an Elite Eight matchup with Purdue after a 82-75 victory on Friday. Creighton never got fully comfortable with the Vols' pressure defense.
Creighton had two chances to cut a four-point lead down, but didn't score on back-to-back Kalkbrenner low-post looks. One Tobe Awaka offensive rebound and 3-point play later, the Vols were in control.
Purdue-Tennessee is a rematch from an ugly Maui Invitational game on Nov. 21 where 52 fouls were called in total. Never again.
Tennessee is going to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.
Tennessee 68, Creighton 64 with 3:54 left | Can the Vols finish?
Tennessee is closing in on its second-ever Elite Eight but will need to execute late. Creighton is employing versions of the box-and-1 to combat Dalton Knecht, but he hit consecutive 3-pointers to end a Creighton run.
Vols are fortunate that they will have the ball coming out of the media timeout; Knecht appeared to touch the ball before it flew out of bounds.
Tennessee 62, Creighton 55 with 7:54 left | Bluejays cut UT lead to single digits
Creighton goes on a 9-2 run, including a Baylor Scheierman 3-point play after two Tennessee players mishandle a rebound. This game is not over.
Creighton continues to focus on Dalton Knecht, and there are open shots for others.
Neither team is approaching the bonus at the moment.
Tennessee 62, Creighton 50 with 9:18 left | Zakai Zeigler is starring
Zakai Zeigler is up to 15 points, including three 3-pointers. With Dalton Knecht having a good-but-not-great scoring night (16 points on 6-of-16 shooting), Zeigler's contribution has been key. UT is 9-of-19 from 3.
Creighton will have at least another run in this game. The Vols will need to be ready with an answer.
Tennessee 55, Creighton 39 with 13:51 left | Vols on game-flipping 18-0 run
Tennessee is on a 18-0 run after a 3-pointers by Zakai Zeigler and Josiah-Jordan James. A game-changing four minutes. Zeigler has 13 points, with James at 11. Those are both good signs for the Vols.
The Vols defense has hounded Creighton in the second half; the Bluejays are 1-of-7 from the floor with two turnovers to start the half.
Halftime: Creighton 35, Tennessee 34
Baylor Scheierman leads all scorers with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, as Creighton has a late flurry to take the lead at halftime.
The Vols miss Santiago Vescovi defensively, especially with Jahmai Mashack and Jordan Gainey in foul trouble. Cameron Carr played late in the half and hit a corner 3.
Tennessee 29, Creighton 27 with 3:41 left in the first half | Foul trouble for Vols' guards
Jordan Gainey joins Jahmai Mashack with two fouls. Freddie Dilione V is getting some playing time, though he picks up a foul right before the media timeout.
Creighton is able to find a couple of open looks and buries two 3-pointers to stay within striking distance of Tennessee. This going to be a tight game for the duration with Creighton's ability to score in spurts.
Dalton Knecht is trying to keep pace with 10 points. He's been able to drive and create.
Tennessee 18, Creighton 14 with 7:48 left in the first half | Tennessee defense punishing Creighton
The Vols' physical defense is making things difficult for the Bluejays. Creighton has missed nine of its last 10 shots.
This game is being played at Tennessee's pace. Jahmai Mashack has two fouls though, so it'll be a lot of Jordan Gainey to finish the half.
Tennessee 14, Creighton 12 with 11:30 left in the first half | Josiah-Jordan James hits two 3-pointers
Josiah-Jordan James has knocked down two open 3-pointers as the Vols take the lead. Tennessee has eight points off of four Creighton turnovers.
Creighton 7, Tennessee 6 with 14:55 left in the first half | Vols taking decent shots but not making them
The Vols start 2-of-8 from the field, including a couple misses from open shooters.
Vols defense has been progressively active, but Creighton has a lot of ways to score. This will be a different game than the Texas victory.
Tennessee basketball vs. Creighton officials, referees
The officials for Friday's game: Tony Padilla, Joe Lindsay, Matt Potter.
Santiago Vescovi ruled out for Creighton game
Vols senior guard Santiago Vescovi has been ruled out for Friday's game with an illness after missing Thursday's practice in Detroit. Jahmai Mashack will be in the starting lineup against Creighton.
Vescovi's poor shooting has contributed to Tennessee's late-season offensive struggles, but his defense has been a big part of the Vols all year.
What channel is Tennessee vs. Creighton on today? How to watch, stream live
- TV channel: TBS/truTV
- Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Sling TV
Tennessee will tip off vs. Creighton on TBS/truTV. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV. Announcers for the game areAndrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, and Evan Washburn.
Tennessee vs. Creighton start time, TV info, location
- Start time: Approximately 10:15 p.m. ET
- TV info: TBS/truTV
- Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Tennessee vs. Creighton preview
Tennessee: The Vols were the SEC regular-season champions and boast the nation's best scoring guard in Dalton Knecht, the Northern Colorado transfer turned SEC player of the year. Zakai Zeigler makes everything go for Tennessee.
Creighton: The Bluejays boast three high-scoring players led by senior wing Baylor Scheierman, who averages 18.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. Guard Trey Alexander and center Ryan Kalkbrenner average more than 17.4 points each.
Tennessee vs. Creighton odds, betting line, spread
- Spread: Tennessee -3.5
- Over/under: 144.5
- Moneyline: Tennessee -155
Tennessee vs. Creighton prediction, game picks
Tennessee 75, Creighton 71:The Vols are going to have to guard as well as they did against Texas and hit 3-pointers at a much better clip. Tennessee is capable of both things.
Tennessee vs. Creighton injury updates
TENNESSEE: Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi is battling an illness. He has been ruled out after not practicing Thursday.
CREIGHTON: There are no injuries of note.
Tennessee vs. Creighton stats
Tennessee
- PPG: 79.1
- PPG allowed: 67
- FG% 44.3%
- 3PT%: 33.9%
- KenPom ranking: No. 8
Creighton
- PPG: 80.6
- PPG allowed: 69.5
- FG% 48.5%
- 3PT%: 36.6%
- KenPom ranking: No. 11
Tennessee vs. Creighton championship odds
Odds according to BetMGM:
TENNESSEE: +1300
CREIGHTON: +2500
Tennessee basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Tennessee's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
| Date | Score |
| March 6, 2024 | Tennessee 66, South Carolina 59 |
| March 9, 2024 | Kentucky 85, Tennessee 81 |
| March 15, 2024 | Mississippi State 73, Tennessee 56 (SEC Tournament) |
| March 22, 2024 | Tennessee 83, Saint Peter's 49 (NCAA Tournament) |
| March 24, 2024 | Tennessee 62, Texas 58 (NCAA Tournament) |
Creighton basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Creighton's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
| Date | Score |
| March 2, 2024 | Creighton 89, Marquette 75 |
| March 9, 2024 | Creighton 69, Villanova 67 |
| March 14, 2024 | Providence 78, Creighton 73 (Big East Tournament) |
| March 22, 2024 | Creighton 77, Akron 60 (NCAA Tournament) |
| March 24, 2024 | Creighton 86, Oregon 73 in 2 OT (NCAA Tournament) |
Mike Wilsoncovers University of Tennessee athletics.Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.comand follow him on Twitter@ByMikeWilson.If you enjoy Mike’s coverage,consider adigital subscriptionthat will allow you access to all of it.
