Tennessee Vols Advance to Third Straight Elite Eight

Nate Ament and Ja'Kobi Gillespie lead the Vols to victory over Iowa State.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:56am

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The Tennessee Vols defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 76-62 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, securing their third consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight. Nate Ament scored 18 points and Ja'Kobi Gillespie added 16 for the Vols, who have now reached the Elite Eight in three straight seasons.

Why it matters

Tennessee's continued success in the NCAA Tournament solidifies their status as one of the top men's basketball programs in the country. Reaching the Elite Eight three years in a row is an impressive feat that showcases the Vols' consistent excellence and ability to compete at the highest level of college basketball.

The details

The Vols jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished control of the game, leading by as many as 16 points in the second half. Tennessee's stifling defense held Iowa State to just 62 points, while the Vols' balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Cyclones to handle.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • This was Tennessee's third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

The players

Nate Ament

A key player for the Tennessee Vols, Ament scored 18 points in the Sweet Sixteen victory over Iowa State.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

Tennessee's starting guard, Gillespie contributed 16 points to the Vols' win over the Cyclones.

Tennessee Vols

The men's basketball team from the University of Tennessee, who have now reached the Elite Eight for the third straight year.

Iowa State Cyclones

The men's basketball team from Iowa State University, who fell to the Vols in the Sweet Sixteen.

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What they’re saying

“We've worked hard all season to get back to this point, and I'm proud of the way our guys competed tonight. We're excited to keep this run going.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach

What’s next

Tennessee will face the winner of the other Sweet Sixteen matchup in the Elite Eight, with a chance to advance to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Tennessee's third consecutive Elite Eight appearance is a testament to the program's sustained excellence under head coach Rick Barnes. The Vols have emerged as one of the premier men's basketball teams in the country, and their continued success in the NCAA Tournament has solidified their status as a national powerhouse.