On March 6, 2025, both the University of Tennessee’s men’s and women’s basketball teams were in action, with the Lady Volunteers facing Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Women’s Tournament and the Volunteers preparing for their upcoming game against Ole Miss.
Lady Volunteers Fall to Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament
The 18th-ranked Tennessee Lady Volunteers faced a challenging matchup against Vanderbilt in the second round of the SEC Women’s Tournament held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Despite a valiant effort, the Lady Vols were defeated 84-76, marking an early exit from the tournament.
Vanderbilt’s forward, Khamil Pierre, delivered a standout performance with a double-double, recording 16 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out. Guard Iyana Moore was exceptional from beyond the arc, going a perfect 4-for-4 on three-pointers and contributing 23 points along with four rebounds.
For Tennessee, guard Talaysia Cooper led the team with 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting and added four rebounds. Forward Zee Spearman also made her presence felt on the boards, securing 10 rebounds alongside five points and three assists.
This loss underscores the competitive nature of the SEC Tournament, where lower-seeded teams like Vanderbilt can upset higher-ranked opponents, adding unpredictability to the postseason.
Volunteers Gear Up for Ole Miss Clash
On the men’s side, the 4th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers are set to face Ole Miss in their final true road game of the season. The Volunteers have been in impressive form, winning seven of their last eight games, and aim to continue this momentum as they approach the NCAA Tournament.
The matchup against Ole Miss is scheduled for March 12, 2025, at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion. Tennessee has dominated recent encounters with Ole Miss, boasting a 9-1 record in their last ten meetings since 2018. Notably, the last three games in Oxford have been closely contested, each decided by four points or fewer.
A key storyline to watch is Tennessee’s leading scorer, Chaz Lanier, who is on the brink of surpassing Allan Houston’s single-season record of 99 made three-pointers. With one more successful shot from beyond the arc, Lanier will join an elite group of Volunteers, including Chris Lofton and Santiago Vescovi, who have made 100 or more three-pointers in a season.
As the Volunteers prepare for this critical matchup, they aim to solidify their position as a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, with aspirations of making a deep postseason run.
