Vols Face Vanderbilt in SEC Quarterfinals After Regular‑Season Split

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

NASHVILLE – A rubber match at Bridgestone Arena.

Tennessee hoops is set for a chance to play in the semifinals on Friday afternoon in Nashville, facing Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals after the two rivals split the regular-season series. 

The Vols took the first meeting on Feb. 21, winning 69-65 at Memorial Gymnasium behind a clutch 13‑footer from freshman star Nate Ament, who delivered the game‑winner in the final minute. Vanderbilt answered in Knoxville on March 7, knocking off Tennessee 86-82 at Thompson-Boling Arena behind 25 points from sophomore guard Tyler Tanner.

Tennessee arrives in the quarterfinals fresh off an impressive turnaround in Thursday’s second round. The Vols trailed 12‑seed Auburn by 10 with 11 minutes remaining before ripping off a 20–0 run to take control and win 72-62. Ament, returning from a right‑leg injury suffered against Alabama, looked nothing like a player who had missed two games. The Manassas, Virginia native logged 32 minutes, pouring in 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 4‑for‑6 from three.

Containing Tyler Tanner will once again be Tennessee’s biggest challenge. The First Team All‑SEC guard leads Vanderbilt with 19.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, and his performance in the March 7 meeting was the difference. Tennessee will lean on Ja’Kobi Gillespie in that matchup, with the Vols needing a cleaner defensive effort than they produced in the Senior Day loss.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Tennessee enters as a 1.5‑point favorite, with the over/under set at 146.5, as the Vols look to advance to Saturday’s semifinals and settle the season series.