Houston and Tennessee Set for Defensive Battle in Elite Eight Showdown

The Cougars, riding a 16-game winning streak, and the Volunteers, led by standout Zakai Zeigler, face off Sunday for a Final Four berth.

Houston enters the Elite Eight matchup with a 16-game winning streak, the longest in the NCAA Tournament, after a dramatic 62-60 victory over Purdue.
Milos Uzan's game-winning layup against Purdue, orchestrated by coach Kelvin Sampson, secured Houston's first Elite Eight appearance since 2021.
Tennessee advanced by defeating Kentucky in the Sweet 16, powered by Zakai Zeigler's 18 points and 10 assists, highlighting their balanced offensive attack.
Both teams are among the nation's best defensively, with Houston leading in scoring defense (58.5 points per game) and Tennessee also ranking in the top 10.
Sunday's game at Lucas Oil Stadium will feature three Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalists, underscoring the defensive intensity expected in the matchup.