The Tennessee Volunteers will take on the Virginia Cavaliers in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This second-round game in the Midwest Region will be held at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA. The game is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
Tennessee enters the game as the 6 seed with an overall record of 22-11. They finished their conference play with a 12-8 record in the Southeastern Conference. Last postseason, Tennessee made it to the Elite Eight before losing to Houston.
Virginia, the 3 seed, has an impressive overall record of 29-5. They went 17-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Virginia is ranked #9 in the AP poll, showing strong performance throughout the regular season.
Virginia Preview
The Virginia Cavaliers are ranked #9 in the AP poll. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 29-5 and a conference record of 17-4.
Offensively, the Cavaliers scored 80.6 points per game during the regular season. They attempted 60.6 field goals per game with a shooting percentage of 46.3%. They made 10.1 three-pointers per game, shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc.
Defensively, the team had 6.4 steals and 6.5 blocks per game. They committed 17.6 fouls per game. In the postseason, their defense improved with 4.0 steals and 5.0 blocks per game, while reducing fouls to 10.0 per game.
Key players include Malik Thomas, who averaged 12.4 points per game, and Thijs De Ridder, who led with 15.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Sam Lewis contributed with 10.8 points per game, and Johann Grünloh added 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Tennessee Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers are ranked #23 in the AP poll. They play in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a strong run. They won three games before losing to Houston in the Elite Eight.
In the 2026 regular season, the Volunteers had an overall record of 22-11. Their conference record was 12-8. They scored an average of 79.5 points per game. They had 42.6 rebounds per game, ranking them 9th in that category.
The Volunteers had some standout players in 2026. Ja’Kobi Gillespie was a key player, scoring 18 points per game. Nate Ament also contributed with 17.5 points per game. Felix Okpara was strong on rebounds, averaging 6.2 per game.
Betting trends from 2025 show the Volunteers were strong straight up. They won 27 out of 34 games. As favorites, they won 24 out of 28 games. Against the spread, they had a 50% success rate overall.
Statistical Breakdown for Virginia vs Tennessee
The game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Tennessee Volunteers will be shaped by several key stats. Virginia’s strong postseason shooting, with a 51.9% field goal percentage and 50% from beyond the arc, gives them an edge. Tennessee’s rebounding strength, ranking 9th with 42.6 rebounds per game, is also significant. Virginia’s defense, which allows only 10 fouls per game in the postseason, could limit Tennessee’s scoring opportunities.
- Virginia Cavaliers Points Per Game: 80.6
- Tennessee Volunteers Points Per Game: 79.5
- Virginia Cavaliers Field Goal Percentage (Postseason): 51.9%
- Tennessee Volunteers Rebounds Per Game: 42.6
- Virginia Cavaliers 3PT Percentage (Postseason): 50.0%
- Virginia Cavaliers Fouls Per Game (Postseason): 10.0
Betting Insights
The Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Cavaliers are set for an exciting game. The Volunteers have shown strong performances, especially when favored. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have struggled against the spread recently. Here are the top betting trends to consider for this game:
- Tennessee is 24-4 straight up as a favorite.
- Virginia is 0-3 against the spread in their last 3 games.
- Tennessee is 4-2 against the spread as an underdog.
- Virginia has a 19-13 record on the over/under for all games.
- Tennessee has gone over in 4 of their last 5 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Virginia vs Tennessee
The game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Tennessee Volunteers is expected to be close. Virginia’s strong shooting in the postseason could give them an edge. Their ability to limit fouls might restrict Tennessee’s scoring chances. However, Tennessee’s rebounding strength is a key factor. Their ability to control the boards could help them gain extra possessions.
Tennessee has been strong when favored, with a 24-4 record straight up. This trend, along with their rebounding, makes them a tough opponent. Virginia’s recent struggles against the spread add another layer to consider. Despite their shooting prowess, they have not covered in their last three games.
Considering these factors, Tennessee might have a slight advantage. Their rebounding and strong performance as favorites could be decisive. Virginia’s shooting and defense will keep it close, but Tennessee’s overall play might edge them out.
- Our Free Prediction: Tennessee -1.5
