Tennessee vs Houston
(NCAAB) Volunteers (TENN) vs. Cougars (HOU),
Point Spread: 3.50 | -115.00 Volunteers (TENN) (Away)
Result: Loss
A couple of hard-to-believe Big Dance factoids at play here. First, Houston has never won a national title despite six trips to the Final Four and legendary names like Hayes, Olajuwon, and Drexler. Second, Tennessee has never made it to the Final Four at all, even more surprising considering some of the top contenders the Vols have had in recent years. Last year's trip to the Elite 8 matched as close as UT has ever gotten, but a year ago it was running into Purdue and Zach Edey in the Elite 8. The Cougars don't have that sort of component, and considering their discomfort at Lucas Oil vs. Purdue on Friday, how they fare vs. a more-uncompromising UT remains to be seen. The Vols put the clamps on Kentucky in Friday's 78-65 cruise, and the savvy Ziegler-Lanier pairing in the backcourt isn't likely to be fazed by the Cougs after dealing with SEC heavyweights all season. Is this the year for Rick Barnes to get to the Final Four? Play Tennessee (NCAA at Indianapolis)