The University of Tennessee Volunteers continued their remarkable NCAA Tournament run by defeating the UCLA Bruins 67-58 in a second-round matchup held at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on March 22, 2025. This victory allows the Volunteers to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year, marking a program record.
Chaz Lanier led the way for Tennessee with an impressive 20 points, sinking 4 of 5 three-point attempts and setting a new single-season record for the school with a total of 120 three-pointers made this season. Lanier’s achievement surpassed the previous record of 118 set by Chris Lofton back in the 2007-08 season. Lofton himself was present at the game to witness Lanier’s historic performance.
Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey also contributed significantly, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively. Their strong efforts were crucial in building a commanding 19-point lead late in the contest. Tennessee's triumph not only showcased their potent offense, but it relied heavily on smothering defense that held UCLA to their lowest scoring output of the season during a loss.
UCLA, coming into the game with a record of 23-11, found their scoring stifled by an aggressive Volunteers defense. The Bruins last led the game at 25-24 before Tennessee closed the first half on an 8-0 run, leading 32-25 at halftime. This defensive strategy has been a hallmark of Tennessee's style all season long, as they ranked among the top teams in the nation for points allowed per game, averaging just 63 points against.
Skyy Clark, who faced foul trouble throughout the first half, led the Bruins with a total of 18 points, while Tyler Bilodeau added 15 points. Despite their efforts, UCLA's early exit from the tournament was disappointing, as this was only their second meeting with Tennessee, with the last encounter occurring in 1977.
The Volunteers took advantage of their momentum by starting the second half strong, outscoring UCLA 14-6 over the first several minutes. Coach Mick Cronin of UCLA took a timeout to regroup after Lanier hit his fourth three-pointer, extending Tennessee’s lead to 46-31. As the game progressed, UCLA struggled to find any rhythm, with the Vols maintaining control and defensive pressure throughout the second half.
Next up, the Volunteers, now with a record of 29-7, will face either sixth-seeded Illinois or No. 3 seed Kentucky in Milwaukee on March 23, 2025. The Southeast Region semifinals are scheduled to take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis the following Friday.
This year's NCAA Tournament has seen several surprises, but Tennessee's strong showing continues to underscore their dominance and resilience as they strive for their first Final Four appearance in school history. With a seasoned roster and a strong defensive foundation, fans are eager to see how far the Volunteers can go.
Tennessee's victory not only marks another milestone for the program but also reflects the hard work put in by the players and coaching staff throughout the season. With Lanier's performance and the team’s overall success, the Volunteers are positioned well heading into the next round of the tournament.
