Tennessee Defeats Virginia in NCAA Tournament

Vols advance to Sweet 16 with 79-72 victory over Cavaliers

Mar. 23, 2026 at 3:11am

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Tennessee's basketball team defeated Virginia 79-72 in the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. Senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie led the Vols with a team-high 21 points, while freshman Nate Ament scored 16 points and Bishop Boswell added 13 points and 9 assists. The win sends Tennessee to the Sweet 16 next week in Chicago.

Why it matters

Tennessee's victory over the higher-seeded Virginia squad is a significant accomplishment for the Vols, who have now won two straight games in the tournament. The team's balanced scoring attack and strong team play were key factors in the win, setting them up for a deep tournament run.

The details

Tennessee jumped out to a strong start, with Boswell hitting three 3-pointers in the first half to help the Vols build a lead. Ament struggled early but came alive in the second half, scoring the first 8 points after halftime to help Tennessee pull away. Gillespie continued his hot tournament, making 6 shots and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

  • Tennessee defeated Virginia on Friday, March 22, 2026 in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.

The players

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

A senior guard for Tennessee who led the team with 21 points in the win over Virginia.

Nate Ament

A freshman for Tennessee who scored 16 points, including 8 straight to open the second half.

Bishop Boswell

A Tennessee guard who scored 13 points and dished out 9 assists in the victory.

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What they’re saying

“I think the game just slowed down for me a little bit. Also, I was fighting fatigue in the first. Sitting out a couple of games, it's hard to bounce back, but found my footing in the second. Also, my teammates for finding me, giving me open shots. I was trying to be more aggressive, make sure I was being aggressive also, not being too aggressive that I turn the ball over.”

— Nate Ament, Tennessee Freshman

“I wouldn't say my confidence really wavered. To me, it was trusting that I don't have to do much to help this team win. We have talented guys. I don't have to come in and play every minute, score every point for us to win because we have talented guys on the floor.”

— Nate Ament, Tennessee Freshman

“Yeah, the three, I was definitely lucky. Getting a stop and then being able to convert in transition was good for us because it was harder to score when they had a set defense. Getting out and running was working for us.”

— Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee Senior Guard

What’s next

Tennessee will face Iowa State in the Sweet 16 next week in Chicago, Illinois.

The takeaway

Tennessee's balanced scoring attack and strong team play were key factors in their upset victory over Virginia. The Vols' depth and ability to get contributions from multiple players will serve them well as they continue their tournament run.