Tennessee Advances to Elite Eight with Sweet 16 Win Over Iowa State

Vols' frontcourt delivers in 76-62 victory, earning third straight trip to regional finals

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:33am

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Tennessee basketball is headed to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season after a dominant second-half performance led the Volunteers to a 76-62 win over two-seed Iowa State in the Sweet 16. Head coach Rick Barnes praised his team's defensive effort and the production of the Vols' frontcourt, which stepped up with key contributions to slow down Iowa State sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic and pull away late.

Why it matters

Tennessee's sustained success under Rick Barnes has the program back among the nation's elite, with the Vols making the Sweet 16 for the third straight NCAA Tournament. This latest run to the Elite Eight showcases the program's ability to reload with new talent each season and Barnes' skill at developing his roster, particularly the frontcourt, to overcome key losses and continue competing at a high level.

The details

Tennessee's defense was the key to the victory, as the Vols focused their game plan on limiting Momcilovic's open looks. Barnes praised the efforts of players like Ethan and Felix in sticking to the scouting report and not allowing Momcilovic any daylight. Offensively, the Vols' frontcourt stepped up, with Jaylen Carey and DeWayne Brown providing a physical presence inside that Tennessee lacked in previous seasons. The Vols also did a better job of taking care of the ball in the second half to pull away.

  • Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team, leading the program to its third straight Sweet 16 appearance.

Milan Momcilovic

The star sharpshooter for the Iowa State Cyclones, who the Tennessee defense focused on limiting in the Sweet 16 matchup.

Jaylen Carey

A key contributor for the Tennessee frontcourt, providing a physical presence inside that has been crucial to the Vols' success this season.

DeWayne Brown

Another Tennessee big man who has emerged as a surprise contributor, giving the Vols added depth and size in the frontcourt.

Ethan

A Tennessee player who played a key role in the defensive effort to slow down Momcilovic and the Iowa State offense.

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What they’re saying

“Our game plan was to give him no daylight whatsoever. We felt like if he had six inches, he could get the shot off. We didn't do a very good job. Again, give him all the credit.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, Tennessee Volunteers

“I'm really happy because if I put all the chips on the table, I have been after Jaylen harder than anybody all year, anybody. There's days he looked at me like, man, this dude is crazy; but he never said a word, kept going.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, Tennessee Volunteers

What’s next

Tennessee will face the winner of the Sweet 16 matchup between UCLA and Gonzaga in the Elite Eight on Sunday, March 30, 2026, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Tennessee's ability to reload its roster with new talent each season and develop that talent, particularly in the frontcourt, has been a key factor in the program's sustained success under Rick Barnes. The Vols' defensive effort and physical play inside proved to be the difference in this Sweet 16 victory over a tough Iowa State squad.