Tennessee basketball is one win away from making the Final Four for the first time in program history as the Vols prepare to face Purdue in the Elite Eight on Sunday afternoon.
The Vols are in the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history after knocking off three-seed Creighton 82-75 in the Sweet 16 on Friday night.
Rick Barnes’ ninth Tennessee team got production from up-and-down its lineup with Dalton Knecht, Josiah-Jordan James and Zakai Zeigler combining for 59 points on nine-of-18 shooting from three-point range.
Purdue is looking to make its first Final Four in 44 years and to do it just a year after they suffered a humiliating upset at the hands of 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Ahead of each Tennessee game in the NCAA Tournament, RTI’s Ric Butler and Ryan Schumpert will make predictions for the Vols matchup. Check out their picks for the Vols’ matchup against the Boilermakers.
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Ric Butler
The Tennessee Volunteers are back swimming in the Elite Eight waters for the first time in a long time.
Tennessee’s three-game run in the tournament has seen the Vols win in three different ways. Tennessee dominated Saint Peter’s in the first round, battled to a last-minute victory against Texas, and used a strong second half to put away Creighton in the Sweet 16.
Purdue’s biggest challenge, pun intended, hardly needs to be mentioned. Zach Edey is a powerhouse on the court through and through. The Boilermakers’ big man can power through opponents in the paint and has drawn the most fouls in college basketball this season. Fortunately for Tennessee, the Vols’ big men have seen several top-tier big men this season, especially in conference play. As Jahmai Mashack said on Saturday, it’s easier said than done, but it’s a task that Tennessee isn’t entirely unfamiliar with.
The key for Tennessee to me is Zakai Zeigler. The Vols didn’t have a 100% Zeigler during the first game as he was still recovering from injury, but the Tennessee guard hasn’t stepped off the court in their last two games. The key for Purdue, on the other hand, is the guards outside of Edey. It’s easy to say that Edey will score the ball and get his points, but how difficult can Tennessee make that of a task? It’ll be critical for Purdue to score and distribute with their guards and it’ll be critical for Tennessee to defend that very play.
One way or another, I think we’re in for one of the best games of the NCAA Tournament slate. Tennessee’s guard play from Zeigler and Knecht are enough to inch the Vols past the Boilermakers despite a standout tournament game from Zach Edey.
Tennessee 73, Purdue 72
Ryan Schumpert
Here we are. Tennessee and Purdue facing off in a game of massive repercussions in the NCAA Tournament. The Vols are coming off their best game in weeks if not all season. They’re going to need to recreate it to knock off Purdue.
Purdue is another team that it’s hard to score inside against due to Zach Edey’s inside presence. So the Vols will have to hit perimeter shots again. Offensively, I think Tennessee will go as Zakai Zeigler and Dalton Knecht go.
On the other end, Edey is inevitable. There’s no stopping him. The goal for Tennessee should be to take Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer out of the game. Make Edey do it on his own.
The one area I feel like Tennessee could truly have a sizable advantage is the turnover battle. Purdue doesn’t force turnovers and while they’re good at taking care of the basketball, the Vols’ ball pressure gave them issues in the first meeting.
It’s a small spread for a reason and feels close to a toss-up. I’m going to Purdue due to the Edey mismatch and the near-home crowd they’ll have in Detroit.
Purdue 74, Tennessee 70
