LEXINGTON, Ky. — In an electrifying NCAA Tournament match-up, Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier showcased his sharpshooting skills, hitting four out of five three-pointers to propel the team to a 67-58 victory over UCLA. This victory earned Tennessee its third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, setting a new milestone for the program. The Volunteers (29-7) advanced and will face either Illinois or Kentucky in the upcoming Midwest Region semifinals scheduled for Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Lanier’s impressive performance was not limited to the game alone; he etched his name into Tennessee’s record books by completing the season with 120 three-pointers, surpassing the previous record of 118 set by Chris Lofton during the 2007-08 season. Interestingly, Lofton was present at the Rupp Arena to witness this momentous occasion.
Apart from Lanier’s standout contribution, Zakai Zeigler added 15 points to Tennessee’s tally, and Jordan Gainey chipped in with 13 points, aiding their side to establish a commanding 19-point lead with just over five minutes on the clock. On the other hand, UCLA’s campaign concluded sooner than anticipated under coach Mick Cronin’s six-year leadership, marking their earliest exit from the tournament.
Tennessee’s defensive prowess was on full display as they contained UCLA to their lowest scoring game in a loss this season. The last time these two teams faced off was back in 1977, where UCLA claimed victory. However, this game saw a reversal of fortune in Tennessee’s favor, mainly due to their suffocating defense.
After UCLA last claimed the lead at 25-24, Tennessee closed the first half with an eight-point run, taking a 32-25 lead into halftime. Zeigler and Mashack, both contenders for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, were instrumental in keeping UCLA scoreless for the last three minutes of the half.
Despite being hindered by foul trouble, Skyy Clark recorded 18 points for UCLA while Tyler Bilodeau contributed 15 points.
UCLA’s defense, ranked best in the Big Ten, typically limited their opponents to 65.2 points per game and had fewer turnovers in practice, yet they struggled against Tennessee’s tenacious play. The Bruins gave away 11 turnovers compared to Tennessee’s 18, maintaining a common trend for them throughout the season.
Conversely, the Volunteers dominated defensively in the Southeastern Conference by allowing just 63 points per game and restricting teams to 38.4% shooting. They were particularly effective at defending beyond the arc, allowing a mere 28.2% success rate from opponents. In contrast, Tennessee made a solid 11 of 22 from three-point land during this game.
A pivotal moment in the game came as Tennessee launched into the second half, outperforming UCLA with a 14-6 run. Coach Cronin called a timeout when Lanier sank his fourth three-pointer, expanding Tennessee’s lead to 46-31, which was enough to maintain their edge through the rest of the game.
With this victory, Tennessee moves within two wins of reaching their first-ever Final Four, a significant opportunity in a season where they enjoyed five weeks as the top-ranked team nationally. Meanwhile, UCLA successfully returned to the tournament, offering a promising debut season in the Big Ten under Cronin’s directorship.
