Tennessee Basketball Faces Virginia in March Madness Second Round

Vols target fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance against 3-seed Cavaliers

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:04am

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Tennessee basketball will take on Virginia in the 2026 NCAA Tournament second round on March 22 in Philadelphia. The Vols (23-11) advanced to the second round after defeating Miami (OH) 78-56 in the first round, while Virginia (30-5) beat Wright State. The winner will play the Kentucky-Iowa State winner in the Sweet 16 on March 27 in Chicago.

Why it matters

Tennessee is looking to make its fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, while Virginia is aiming to advance deeper into the tournament as a 3-seed. This matchup features two programs with strong basketball traditions and will be a key game in determining which team moves on in the March Madness bracket.

The details

The Tennessee vs. Virginia game will be broadcast nationally on TNT, with Andrew Catalon and Steve Lappas on the call and Evan Washburn reporting courtside. Streaming options include HBO Max. Tipoff is set for 6:10 p.m. Eastern on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

  • The Tennessee vs. Virginia game will be played on March 22, 2026.
  • Tennessee defeated Miami (OH) 78-56 in the first round on March 20, 2026.
  • Virginia beat Wright State in the first round on March 20, 2026.
  • The winner of the Tennessee-Virginia game will play the Kentucky-Iowa State winner in the Sweet 16 on March 27, 2026 in Chicago.

The players

Tennessee Basketball

The University of Tennessee men's basketball team, making its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Virginia Cavaliers

The University of Virginia men's basketball team, a 3-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Bounceback game coming? Nate Ament went scoreless, won't be 100% for Tennessee basketball in March Madness”

— Nate Ament

What’s next

The winner of the Tennessee-Virginia game will play the Kentucky-Iowa State winner in the Sweet 16 on March 27, 2026 in Chicago.

The takeaway

This second-round matchup between Tennessee and Virginia features two programs with strong basketball traditions, as the Vols look to make their fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance and the Cavaliers aim to advance deeper into the tournament as a 3-seed. The winner will face a tough challenge in the Sweet 16 against either Kentucky or Iowa State.