Vanderbilt’s Magic Keeps Rolling: See How Their Unwavering Commitment Has Turned the Tide!
Tennessee ran into a hot-shooting Vanderbilt team.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts against the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Tennessee Volunteers fell to the Vanderbilt Commodores on Friday in the quarterfinal round of the SEC Tournament. The game was tight in the first half, and the teams went to the break tied at 31.
However, the Commodores went on a 15-3 run early in the second half and were also more efficient from the free throw line. As a result, the Commodores did enough to stay in front of the Vols and escape with a 75-68 victory. This is now the second time the Vols have lost to the Commodores this season.
Vanderbilt now advances to the semifinal round to take on the #1 Florida Gators, while the Vols wait until Sunday to see what their seed will be in the NCAA Tournament. Now, let’s identify the three takeaways from this defeat. Free throw shooting dooms Vols again Stop me if you’ve heard this before- the Vols did not shoot well from the line.
As a team, the Vols shot just 16 of 26 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Commodores shot 22 of 26 from the charity stripe. In a game that you only lost by seven, it’s hard not to look at 10 missed free throws as a huge culprit.