Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Friday with a sharp 82-75 win over Creighton in Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. The Vols will now turn their attention to 1-seed Purdue with a spot in the Final Four on the line this Sunday afternoon.
With an SEC regular season championship under the belts, expectations were high for Tennessee entering the tournament despite the Vols having no Elite Eight appearances under head coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee powered their way through Saint Peter’s in the first round and kept an old skeleton in the closet with a win over Texas in the second round.
Tennessee used strong scoring nights from a trio of veterans to get the win over Creighton. Dalton Knecht led all Tennessee scorers with 24 while Zakai Zeigler added in 18 next to Josiah-Jordan James’ 17 points.
With a day of rest in between, Tennessee will be back on the court against Purdue in the Elite Eight on Sunday at 2:20 p.m. ET. Until then, though, check out some of the top reactions from the social media world after Tennessee’s win over Creighton in the Sweet 16 below.
More from RTI: Three Quick Takeaways as Tennessee Outlasts Creighton To Advance To Elite Eight
FINAL in DETROIT #MarchMadness
(2) Tennessee: 82
(3) Creighton: 75Tennessee officially advances to the Elite Eight where Purdue awaits. Knecht goes for 24 while Zeigler and James end with 18 and 17. Tennessee survives and advances past the Blue Jays in the Motor City.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 30, 2024
How about Rick Barnes
— TJ Ford (@tj_ford) March 30, 2024
Tennessee is 4-1 this season against four of the final eight teams in the tournament:
Alabama 2-0
NC State 1-0
Illinois 1-0
Purdue 0-1Vols get a chance for revenge on Sunday
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) March 30, 2024
Tobe Awaka was a physical beast inside. Dalton Knecht hit clutch shot. Zakai Zeigler was in complete control. Josiah-Jordan James made huge play after huge play on both ends.
Tennessee’s team delivered against Creighton’s stars. Three quick takeaways.https://t.co/OcoemOJuUO
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) March 30, 2024
TENNESSEE. ELITE. pic.twitter.com/1zg4XfCpvn
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 30, 2024
Tennessee has advanced to their 2nd Elite 8 EVER.
And with the win, Rick Barnes passes Bruce Pearl for the most NCAA Tournament wins as a Tennessee men's basketball head coach
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) March 30, 2024
It was true before this game, but it’s even more indisputable now ——
Rick Barnes is the greatest coach in Tennessee basketball history.
— Reed Carringer (@ReedCarringer) March 30, 2024
The Final Four could very well be UCONN, Duke, Tennessee and Alabama
Outside of replacing Bama with Louisville, I am not sure it would get much worse for Kentucky fans
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 30, 2024
Detroit! Elite 8! Let’s get it! 🍊
— Josh Dobbs (@josh_dobbs1) March 30, 2024
Tennessee second half defense pic.twitter.com/5YoFO9quGo
— Barstool Bluejays (@BarstoolJays) March 30, 2024
So proud of .@Vol_Hoops the fight that was shown was everything!! Shack making the most of his opportunity!!! JJJ stepping up and just being his self!! Tobe being a damn DOG!!! Totally group effort. Coaches with great game plan and adjustments!! Purdue on Sunday!! #GoVols pic.twitter.com/QCsex3ZxUs
— Ron Slay (@TheRonSlay) March 30, 2024
What a win! So proud of @Vol_Hoops! It truly is great to be a Tennessee Vol! Go Vols! 🏀🍊#GBO https://t.co/PhB2qYcZL4
— Donde Plowman (@DondePlowman) March 30, 2024
Monster defensive performance by Tennessee tonight, as Creighton looked uncomfortable for most of that second half.
Vols will play Purdue in the Elite-8
Just classify that game as “Hell In A Cell” match. pic.twitter.com/HK7vMd8t9o
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) March 30, 2024
Final
Creighton 75
Tennessee 82The Vols had a second half unlike any we’ve seen in just about any NCAA tournament appearance. Suffocating defense, an incredible 18-0 run, losing much of the resulting 16-point lead but recovering, showing poise and landing in the Elite Eight!…
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) March 30, 2024
Yep. Knew this Tennessee team was different. Had them in the Elite Eight in my bracket.
Vols fans have been waiting a long time for this. https://t.co/WSShe15EKF
— David Schiele WTSP (@Deacon_Schiele) March 30, 2024
Tennessee keeps dancing to our 2nd ELITE 8!!! pic.twitter.com/gk6tSrlH0B
— DRVawl (@DRVawl) March 30, 2024
Live look at @Candace_Parker watching Tennessee get the W over Creighton. pic.twitter.com/Qgdza9sZtT
— No-L ✨ (@the1stNoeI) March 30, 2024
If you are reading this, you witnessed the best season in Tennessee basketball history
— Smokey Vol (@theSmokeyVol) March 30, 2024
Tennessee killed the giant killer in the first round.
Then reminded everyone who the real UT is.
They grounded the Blue Jays.
Now, it’s time to be elite.
— Wes Boling (@WesBolingTN) March 30, 2024
Tennessee beats Creighton 82-75 to advance to Elite 8 for second time. Vols are 4-1 against teams in Elite 8 with only loss to Purdue; 2-0 v Alabama, 1-0 v NC State and Illinois. UT now 2-7 in Sweet 16 games, 2-9 v top 3 seeds in NCAA Tournament. Vols have never been to Final 4.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) March 30, 2024
Here are you 2024 Elite Eight. All 8 are actually making next year’s CFP. pic.twitter.com/6EVZyjO70W
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 30, 2024
