The Tennessee Volunteers and Iowa State Cyclones will meet in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This game will take place at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, IA. The tip-off is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
The Tennessee Volunteers enter the game with an overall record of 22-11. They finished their conference play with a 12-8 record in the Southeastern Conference. Last season, they reached the Elite Eight but lost to Houston. Tennessee is ranked #23 in the AP poll.
The Iowa State Cyclones have a strong overall record of 27-7. In the Big 12 Conference, they finished with a 14-7 record. Last season, they were knocked out in the second round by Ole Miss. Iowa State holds the #6 spot in the AP rankings.
Iowa State Preview
The Iowa State Cyclones are ranked #6 in the AP poll. They play in the Big 12 Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they won against Lipscomb with a score of 82-55 in the first round. However, they lost to Ole Miss 91-78 in the second round.
During the 2026 regular season, the Cyclones had a strong record of 27-7. In conference play, they went 14-7. Their offensive stats show they scored 81.8 points per game, ranking them 64th. They had a field goal percentage of 49.0, which placed them 24th.
In the postseason, the Cyclones improved their scoring to 95.0 points per game, ranking 5th. Their field goal percentage increased to 49.6, ranking 19th. They also averaged 20.5 assists per game, which was 13th in the rankings.
Key players include Milan Momcilovic, who averaged 17.1 points per game in the regular season. Joshua Jefferson contributed with 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Tamin Lipsey added 13.3 points and 156 assists over the season.
Tennessee Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers are ranked #23 in the AP poll. They play in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2025 postseason, Tennessee had a strong run. They won three games before losing to Houston in the Elite Eight.
In the 2026 regular season, Tennessee had an overall record of 22-11. Their conference record was 12-8. They scored an average of 79.5 points per game. They were strong in rebounding, with 42.6 rebounds per game, ranking 9th.
During the 2026 postseason, Tennessee’s offensive stats improved. They averaged 78.0 points per game. Their field goal percentage was 52.5%, which ranked 12th. They also improved their three-point shooting to 45.0%.
Key players for Tennessee include Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament. Gillespie averaged 18.0 points per game, while Ament had 17.5 points per game. Felix Okpara contributed with 7.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. These players helped Tennessee perform well throughout the season.
Statistical Breakdown for Iowa State vs Tennessee
The game between Iowa State Cyclones and Tennessee Volunteers will be shaped by their offensive and defensive stats. Iowa State has a high-scoring offense, averaging 95.0 points per game in the postseason. Tennessee’s rebounding strength, with 42.0 rebounds per game, will be key. Iowa State’s ability to score from the field and Tennessee’s three-point shooting will also play a role.
- Iowa State Points Per Game: 95.0 (5th in postseason)
- Tennessee Rebounds Per Game: 42.0 (15th in postseason)
- Iowa State Field Goal Percentage: 49.6 (19th in postseason)
- Tennessee Three-Point Percentage: 45.0 (15th in postseason)
- Iowa State Assists Per Game: 20.5 (13th in postseason)
- Tennessee Assists Per Game: 19.0 (16th in postseason)
Betting Insights
The Tennessee Volunteers and Iowa State Cyclones are set for an exciting game. Both teams have shown strong performances in recent games. Bettors will find valuable insights in the trends from last season. Here are the top five betting trends to consider for this game:
- Tennessee is 66.7% ATS as an underdog.
- Iowa State is 57.6% ATS in all games.
- Tennessee has hit the Over in 80.0% of their last 5 games.
- Iowa State has hit the Under in 60.0% of their last 10 games.
- Tennessee is 46.4% ATS as a favorite.
Free Betting Prediction for Iowa State vs Tennessee
Iowa State’s high-scoring offense will be a major factor in the game. They have been strong in the postseason, averaging 95.0 points per game. Their ability to score efficiently, with a field goal percentage of 49.6, will challenge Tennessee’s defense.
Tennessee has a strong rebounding game, which will help them compete. Their ability to control the boards, with 42.0 rebounds per game, can limit Iowa State’s second-chance points. Tennessee’s three-point shooting at 45.0% is another strength that can keep them in the game.
Both teams have strengths that can impact the outcome. Iowa State’s scoring and Tennessee’s rebounding will be key. The game is likely to be close, but Iowa State’s offensive edge might give them the win.
- Our Free Prediction: Iowa State -4.5
